Lake Placid Police Chief Bill Moore (Enterprise file photo)

LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid Police Department is saying goodbye to Police Chief Bill Moore and Patrolman James Staats as the two officers enter retirement.

The Lake Placid Village Board of Trustees approved the two retirements at its Monday, Jan. 3 meeting with an air of reluctance as board members spoke highly of both officers.

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Bill Moore

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Village Mayor Art Devlin said Moore has held “every position there is in the village,” and he commented on the police chief’s good character.

“He’s got a lot of knowledge, a lot of connections, and he will definitely be missed,” Devlin said.

Moore has worked in the department for more than 31 years, serving as a patrolman, sergeant, detective, detective sergeant, assistant police chief and finally serving as police chief for more than 10 years. He was sworn in as chief in October 2011, replacing Scott Monroe.

Moore is originally from Westchester County, but he said he prefers the mountains and feels lucky that he’s been able to make a life for himself here.

He said he’s watched the village grow during his time with the department. He noted that July 4th used to be the biggest event of the year, and now the village plays host to multiple endurance races and large events throughout the seasons.

“This place is as big or as little as you want to make it, you know,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to raise two kids here, and it’s a great community.”

Moore didn’t detail any retirement plans, saying, “The plan is to have no plan. It’s like a Seinfeld episode.” He said he’ll probably still work in some capacity in the area, and he hopes to spend more time fishing, hunting and golfing.

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James Staats

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Staats recently worked his last shift with the department after more than 15 years as a patrolman. The village board was equally reluctant to approve his retirement, and Trustee Jason Leon jokingly made a motion to table the request.

“He’s everything you’d ever want in a policeman,” Devlin said of Staats.

The board wished both men well in their retirement.

Staats said he enjoyed his time with the department, working in the community he grew up in.

“It was a pleasure, and it was a great opportunity to serve my community,” he said.

Staats has plans to travel with his wife throughout his retirement. He said they’re going to become snowbirds, spending winters in the South and returning to the North during summer months.

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New leadership

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Moore will finish his work with the department on Jan. 27, when the village board will appoint a new police chief. Devlin on Tuesday pointed to Assistant Police Chief Chuck Dobson as his top pick.

Dobson said he’s worked with the Lake Placid Police Department for his entire career, since 2007, with Moore serving as his supervisor.

“It’s been a wonderful experience. He’s been wonderful to work with,” Dobson said of Moore.

Moore said he hopes the village board looks “strongly” at Dobson as a police chief candidate. “And I think they will.”

“He’s been the heir apparent since I’ve been on the board 12 years,” Devlin said. “… Unless something happens between now and the 27th, that’s probably where we’re going to go.”