Retired, but not gone

by Emily Dulanski
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, January 23, 2010

The image that normally comes to mind when we consider someone’s retirement is a lawn chair on a beautiful beach with a martini in hand. For some, however, the ideal retirement setting may not be an island getaway. Niagara Falls Police Department’s Detective Capt. Ernest Palmer, for instance, will be just as busy in retirement as when he worked.

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Palmer. “I have two years left in my term on the Lewiston Town Board, I have a couple of businesses in the area, and I’ve been contracted by the federal government to do a couple of investigations.”

Palmer has had a well-rounded 28-year career in the police department as well as in the community. Among the positions he has held are chief of police of Niagara Falls, chief executive, chief of police of the Youngstown Police Department (which he says was a “side job”), and a member of the Lewiston Town Board.

“I was able to work just about every position in the police department,” said Palmer. “I was especially proud of the fact that while I was police chief (in Niagara Falls), I was able to bring back a model instituted in New York City… and reduced crime by about 32 percent in one year.”

“He started (a movement to) hold captains and supervisors accountable for the crime in their area and (increased) communication with other agencies,” said Lewiston Village Trustee Ron Winkley, former Lewiston Police chief and a colleague of Palmer’s. “He kind of modernized the police department.”

As chief of detectives, Palmer helped clear 35 out of 36 homicide investigations over the past six years with the NFPD. He was appointed accreditation manager in 2003.

“We were able to attain accreditation of the police department for the first time,” said Palmer. “It added to the pride a lot of the officers have in Niagara Falls.”

Among the many things he’s done for the police department and the community, Palmer also made quite an impression on friends and coworkers.

“He’s always been there for all his friends,” said Winkley. “It’s been a real pleasure knowing him both as a community-minded person, a police officer and a parent.” For Palmer, the feeling is mutual.

“My best memories are those I created with my coworkers,” he said. “Although we have a very serious job ... when you have such great coworkers, it makes it easier to go to work.”

Palmer will celebrate his retirement with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, at the Niagara Falls Country Club. Although he will have officially retired from the police department, colleagues say both Niagara Falls and Lewiston will be lucky to continue to enjoy his presence.

“He’s always worked for the whole town,” said Winkley. “He really does research everything (and) he makes decisions fully. ... He always has everybody in his mind.”

For tickets to the reception, contact Winkley at 696-2815.