Cortland Police Deputy Chief David M. Guerrera has been named the city’s police chief, 31 years after he became a Cortland cop and 3 1/2 years in the No. 2 position.
Mayor Scott Steve announced the appointment Thursday. The city’s Common Council will consider the confirmation at a meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by Guerrera taking the oath of office. Guerrera succeeds Paul Sandy, who retired in August.
Guerrera’s appointment reflects the broad consensus and support of members of the city Police Commission, Common Council, law enforcement and others in the community, Steve said.
“Chief Guerrera is the right leader at the right time for our community,” Steve said. “His impressive work ethic and résumé, deep knowledge of the challenges we face, as well as his commitment to addressing the mental health needs and opioid crisis in Cortland makes him uniquely qualified to lead our police department.”
Guerrera started his career in 1988 as a patrol officer with the Cornell University Police Department. He joined the Cortland Police Department in 1993 and rose through the ranks. He has been a uniform sergeant, youth divisino supervisor, detective lieutenant, uniform lieutenant before becoming deputy chief in March 2021.
“It is an honor to lead an agency filled with dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents,” Guerrera said. “I look forward to continuing to build on the trust our department has with the public, and to enhancing the culture of support and wellness within our department.”
Guerrera said he will focus on officer recruitment and retention, strengthening the department’s community partnerships, fostering a culture of transparency and ensuring the department evolves to meet the needs of a changing society.
In 2013, he founded the department’s Crisis Intervention Team in collaboration with local organizations and 90% of the department’s officers are certified to respond effectively to people in crisis, such as a mental health incident or substance use issue.
Guerrera has served on the board of directors for Catholic Charities of Cortland County and as a former board member of the 7 Valley Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. He also regularly participates in local mental health and substance use disorder initiatives.
Guerrera holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2011.
Guerrera has called Cortland home since 1989. He and his wife of 33 years, Penny, have three grown children, two of whom reside in Cortland.
Alderperson Bill Carpenter (D-6th Ward) who served 21 years in the department, said he looks forward to Guerrera’s leadership. “I worked side by-side with Chief Guerrera and know his experience, judgement and integrity make him the best person to lead the department,” Carpenter said. Guerrera will announce departmental promotions following his swearing-in.
