Kiernan Sworn In as Southampton Town Police Department's Sixth Chief

The Southampton Town Board didn’t even consider looking for another candidate.

Members said they knew they wanted to appoint James Kiernan the chief of the Town Police Department, Supervisor Jay Schneiderman told a packed house at Town Hall on hand for the new chief’s official swearing-in on Thursday, December 8.

Kiernan had been helming the department for months since his predecessor, Chief Steven Skrynecki, fell ill. Skrynecki died of cancer in October.

Schneiderman lauded the “phenomenal job” Kiernan has done. “Things are running smoothly,” he said, adding, “Thank you.”

Viewing the room — every seat was filled, and uniformed officers lined both sides, with more attendees spilling into the hallway and into an adjacent room to watch proceedings aired live — Schneiderman said, “You can see from the turnout, everyone has incredible confidence in you. The board has incredible confidence in you.”

Skrynecki’s memory was invoked during the ceremony. Erik Breitwieser, president of the Southampton Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, said the former chief was “up above smiling down at the next person to take the helm.”

It wasn’t easy to replace “the best,” Kiernan said, when he offered his first address as chief. Skrynecki was an encyclopedia of police science, he said.

“I feel him here, and I know he’s happy,” he said of his former boss, colleague and dear friend. “We’ve talked about this particular day many times.”

The board voted unanimously to appoint Kiernan and approve a contract with him. The details of the agreement, requested by The Express News Group under the Freedom of Information Law, have yet to be released.

He was hired provisionally — meaning he’ll have to pass a Civil Service chief’s test — at a salary of $230,000. The appointment was backdated to August 1.

Town Clerk Sundy Schermeyer presided over the official swearing-in, as Kiernan’s wife, Julie, and son, Jack, joined him at the front of the room.

“Thank you very much for your confidence in me. I’ll do my very best for you,” Kiernan began.

He noted that he’s served under a variety of town boards during his decades-long career with the police department and pointed out that this particular board all agrees the No. 1 priority is public safety.

When a town board makes a decision to appoint a chief, it has to consider stakeholders, he said. “Everybody’s a stakeholder,” he continued, speaking of outside agencies on hand, the coalition of East End police departments. “We stand up for each other and help each other,” he said.

The community, Kiernan said, is the biggest stakeholder. “I say to our community and for every police officer who works for the town: We’re going to do our best every day, do everything we possible can to make this a safe community.” Southampton Town Police officers “really care about what they do,” he said.

Southampton is unique in its partnership with the community and supportive town government. “We embrace police reform while maintaining law and order — you don’t see it everywhere,” he said, promising to continue the model.

Kiernan spoke next in Spanish. “I practiced this,” he said.

He thanked members of the Latino community for their trust. “We are here for you and want you to feel safe here in our wonderfully diverse community. Please never be afraid, never be reluctant, never hesitate to seek our help. We are your police department and we are here to serve if ever you should need us,” he said in Spanish.

In English, he added, “I meant every word.”

On Friday, the chief said his Spanish-speaking officers gave him an eight out of 10 on his delivery, “but I know that score is generous.”

Next, Kiernan praised the department’s civilian employees as unsung heroes who “keep the spokes rolling.”

“We do know what you do and appreciate you,” he said.

Speaking to the officers in attendance, he said, “I come from where you are, and I know what you do.” He said he’s keenly aware of the stress the standards they’re held to can bring. “As the bar keeps rising, you keep doing. Your mental health and your physical health is my priority.”

His address received the second standing ovation of the day.

Breitwieser commended the board for acting swiftly. Promoting from within the department instills confidence in its members and shows career goals are attainable, the PBA president continued.

Kiernan rose through the ranks in Southampton since he joined the force 25 years ago.

“We are 100 percent behind you. We support you,” Breitwieser said. Making another reference to Skrynecki’s “big shoes to fill,” the PBA official said his members have no doubt that Kiernan’s shoes will be on a forward path for the department.

As members of the Town Board offered comments, Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni also spoke of Kiernan’s ascent through the ranks. “You know policing,” he said. “You are more than ready to do this.”

Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara noted the pair both took on new roles this year. She characterized Kiernan as “a dedicated man of integrity who cares deeply about our community.”

Councilman Rick Martel spoke of the newly minted chief’s work with youth in the community, while Councilman John Bouvier focused on his compassion and empathy, key traits for a leader.

Prior to the appointment vote, Schneiderman spoke of Kiernan’s resume. Before moving east in 1995, the Huntington native was a social worker using a degree in psychology the supervisor joked might come in handy in his latest role.

He joined the force in 1997 and was a patrol officer for three years. In 1999, he became a member of the department’s emergency services tactical team, where he was both a sniper and hostage negotiator. He remained in that role, along with other duties, until 2015. He said he was proud that no one has ever been injured in hundreds of crises handled.

Kiernan was named a detective in 2004, promoted to detective sergeant in 2005, promoted to lieutenant in 2011, became detective lieutenant in 2018, and promoted to captain/executive officer in 2020.

“I know this is a moment you’ve been waiting for for a long time, Jim,” Schneiderman said. “You’ve earned it.”

Kiernan will serve as the department’s sixth chief. Founded in 1951, the department has 102 sworn officers.