Police Chief to Retire

    East Hampton Town Police Chief Eddie Ecker Jr. confirmed on Tuesday that he will retire at the end of the year. Chief Ecker, who joined the department in 1982, was appointed to its top post in 2010.

     “It’s been a good run,” he said. “I love the job, but it’s time for other people to take over.”

     The East Hampton Town Board has yet to announce a replacement, but was reportedly interviewing candidates last week.

     Chief Ecker, a Montauk native, said he and his wife, Roxanne, will remain in town after his retirement, although he said one of the first orders of business will be to visit family and friends on the West Coast.

     Chief Ecker joined the department as a patrolman and was promoted to detective in 1986. He was promoted to detective sergeant in 1989 and detective lieutenant in 1996 before being named the commander of the Montauk precinct in 1999. He was promoted to captain in 2003 and became executive officer, in charge of the uniformed division of the department in 2005, under then Chief Todd Sarris, who he replaced in 2010.

     “I hope people realize what a really good police department we have,” he said. “Our men and women are really dedicated. They are really serious about doing their jobs.”