By Bert Gambini
Buffalo, NY – Daniel Derenda was nominated Tuesday as the city's next police commissioner.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said Derenda's leadership will continue to bring innovative and creative policing tactics to the department. Buffalo conducted a national search for a candidate, while at the same time, Derenda served as interim commissioner.
The City Charter allows interim appointees to serve a maximum of 180 days in a position and Derenda's appointment was due to expire at midnight Wednesday.
Derenda's appointment is subject to Council approval. Derenda is a 24-year veteran of the Police Department. He began his career as a uniformed officer, and later served as a detective sergeant in the homicide squad. Derenda was a deputy commissioner before being nominated department's top post.
Along with Derenda's appointment, the Mayor also announced other administrative nominees. Charles Tomaszewski, a veteran of the Drug Enforcement Agency, was named as a Deputy Police Commissioner. Kevin Helfer will serve as Commissioner of the City's newly formed Department of Parking.