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Josh Tagliavento began as chief on Monday, he told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½». He comes to the village from the town of Dryden, where he currently holds the same title.

He is joined by a new full-time officer, Gage Banwell, who started at the department a few weeks ago.

Together, the two additions bump Moravia's police force to six officers, four of whom are part-time. 

"It will give us more coverage," Mayor Christopher Fulton told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½», "and a greater understanding of what’s going on in the village."

Fulton said he's delighted to have a "normal situation" at the police department, and better use of its building at 48 W. Cayuga St.

Tagliavento noted that the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office and New York State Police have assisted in the department's absence in recent years. 

"I’m grateful for them," he told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½», "but my goal is to be present for our residents."

Tagliavento is no stranger to Moravia, having worked part-time for the village while serving as Dryden's chief. He's helped secure funding for the department over the last five years, including a $30,000 grant that went toward the purchase of a live scan station for criminal bookings and background checks. Before that, Moravia officers had to travel to the sheriff's office.

The grant also supported the purchase of two mobile data terminals for police vehicles. They will be installed in two new vehicles acquired by a separate grant, Tagliavento said. 

A focus on community

Tagliavento, 47, said he didn't start to consider law enforcement until his late 20s. 

"When you’re a little older and you have a little life experience while going through the academy, decision-making skills and other things come much easier," he said.

"People gravitate toward you because you naturally demonstrate leadership ability."

He worked for shipping company DHL, driving around Ithaca and managing in East Syracuse, until the company shifted gears on a corporate level. That's when he enlisted in the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy in Corning. He began his career as a part-time officer in Watkins Glen before transferring to Otsego and then Dryden, where he was promoted to sergeant in 2017 and then chief.

Like many rural police officers, Tagliavento added part-time hours in Moravia to help plan for retirement with a little extra cash.

He is also familiar with the village, as his in-laws live there, and he considers it a second home. 

Seeing a familiar face, the new police chief said, will hopefully bring the people of Moravia comfort as he works to build stronger relationships with the community and its schools.

"Depending on where you live in our country, sometimes there can be a sense of unease when you see a police officer," Tagliavento said. "We do not want that in our community."