The Lewiston Police Department has jurisdiction over the Town and Village of Lewiston, which is in Niagara County and located in Western New York. Lewiston borders the City of Niagara Falls, Town of Porter, Town of Cambria, Town of Niagara, and Niagara River (an international border to Ontario). Lewiston consists of the Village of Lewiston, Town of Lewiston, Sanborn, Tuscarora Indian Nation, parts of Ransomville, Niagara Power Authority, Lewiston-Porter Central School District, Niagara Wheatfield Central School District, Tuscarora Indian School, Stella-Niagara Educational Park, Saint Peter's Roman Catholic School, and Lewiston-Queenston Bridge. It is a very historic area and is nationally renowned for its sport fishing in the Niagara River and year round festivals. Early law enforcement here dates back to the 1800's. During that long period of time, the police department has evolved to meet the needs of the community. Prior to 1996, the Town and Village of Lewiston both had police departments. However, it was decided that consolidating these departments and providing service to both the Town and Village would better serve the area. This consolidation laid the groundwork for the department to grow into what it is today consisting of ten full-time officers and nine part-time officers. The Lewiston Police Department has always been and still remains today as an organization dedicated to the community, its residents, businesses, and visitors. The department offers a variety of services and functions all of which have the safety and welfare of these individuals as our main concern. The Lewiston Police Department is committed to community policing and professional conduct. We are proud to serve and live in this great community and hope that you enjoy your visit with us.
Chief of Police
Chief Previte has served with the Lewiston Police Department since 1997 with 15 years of that as a sergeant. He is a certified New York State police instructor in general topics as well as firearms and has taught at the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds many other certifications. His focus has been to make the department more interactive with the community and to provide professional service for the residents and visitors of the Town and Village of Lewiston. This has been possible due to the hard work and commitment of the officers and staff of the Lewiston Police Department.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Lewiston Police Department is an ascending challenge that we take on with immense pride, dedication and courage. We, the members of the Lewiston Police department are committed to excellence in law enforcement and are devoted to the people, traditions and values of our community. It is with great honor that we protect the Lewiston Community from criminal activity and that which may compromise the safety of its residents. Our police department works in harmony with the community to extend a secure quality of life to every individual in Lewiston. Our obligation to enforce the laws of the land is taken with great pride and satisfaction. The department is committed to treating all people with dignity, fairness and respect, protecting their rights and providing equal protection under the law.
The Lewiston Police Department provides twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week coverage to the Town and Village of Lewiston consisting of sixty-four square miles. The patrol division consists of ten full-time officers and nine part-time officers. All members of the patrol division are highly trained officers capable of responding to a variety of incidents. Officers are responsible for answering all calls for service and enforcing all local, state and federal laws. Patrol officers also conduct all primary investigations concerning crimes or complaints. Lewiston Police patrol vehicles are also equipped with automatic emergency defibrillators and each officer is certified to use one. The patrol division also consists of an accident reconstruction team, a canine unit, a warrants division, a traffic enforcement division and a court security division.
The Lewiston Police Department provides twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week coverage to the Town and Village of Lewiston consisting of sixty-four square miles. The patrol division consists of ten full-time officers and four part-time officers. All members of the patrol division are highly trained officers capable of responding to a variety of incidents. Officers are responsible for answering all calls for service and enforcing all local, state and federal laws. Patrol officers also conduct all primary investigations concerning crimes or complaints. Lewiston Police patrol vehicles are also equipped with automatic emergency defibrillators and each officer is certified to use one. The patrol division also consists of an accident reconstruction team, a canine unit, a warrants division, a traffic enforcement division and a court security division.
Lewiston Police department started a canine program in 2007 with an imported police canine from the Czech Republic. Canine “Radar” was the first police canine in the Lewiston Police history. Canine Taser replaced Radar in 2014 after a brief illness. Taser is also a European Sheppard with his parent’s bloodlines coming from Germany and Slovakia. Generally, German Sheppard’s like Radar and Taser are used in police departments because of their above average intelligence and they are easily trainable. Radar is also considered a dual purpose canine. He is trained to track wanted or missing people, to apprehend criminals and detection of narcotics inside vehicles and buildings. Officer Scott Stafford and Taser had to go through very intense training that lasted sixteen weeks for the initial certification. Officer Stafford and Taser continue to train per New York State standards on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis to maintain their proficiency. Officer Stafford and Radar are recognized by New York State as a certified Canine Team. Also they have maintained National certifications on a yearly basis with The North American Work Dog Association (NPWDA), The National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA) and have attended yearly canine seminars within New York State to enhance their abilities within this specialized unit. Their abilities are perishable and without training will diminish.
Coming Soon
The Lewiston Police Department in an attempt to increase the safety of motorists, pedestrians and the general public started a traffic unit. When this car hits the streets its purpose is to target high traffic violation areas in the Village and Town of Lewiston. This car also handles any traffic related accidents, aggressive driving or reckless driving complaints. As we receive complaints of speeding, passed stop signs, passed school busses or any other traffic complaint, our traffic unit will focus its efforts on this section of the roadway or intersection until a high compliance rate is achieved through education or enforcement.
LPD encourages you to call our office at (716) 754-8477 with any traffic related problems.
Coming Soon
The Lewiston Police Department in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America, sponsors a Law Enforcement Explorers Post. Explorers are youth ages 14-21, interested in the field of Law Enforcement. Explorers work directly with Lewiston Police Officers and assist with patrol functions, special events and traffic control. They receive law enforcement training and go on ‘ride-alongs’ with LPD Officers. Anyone interested in joining the Explorer Program should contact our office to begin the application process at (716) 754-8477.
Since 2005 the number of serious injury and fatal accidents has been on the rise in Lewiston. In 2008 Lewiston had the highest concentration of fatal accidents in any one township in Niagara County. These are reasons why the Lewiston Police Department began creating an accident reconstruction unit of their own. The purpose of the unit is to investigate and reconstruct accident scenes and attempt to determine the cause and contributing factors. Once an accident reconstruction report is completed, it can be used to determine if any vehicle and traffic and/or Penal Laws have been violated. Many special tools are utilized in investigating an accident, including but not limited to a Total Station (electronic measuring device), vehicle specification software and Visual Statements Diagramming Software. LPD accident reconstruction unit works in conjunction with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office on most accident scenes. This provides shared services in regards to equipment and many years of experience. As a part of the accident reconstruction team you take on great responsibility, multiple hours of ongoing schooling and interagency training.
Our department has three Peace Officers that rotate on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for court security coverage. Two officers are on duty each night. Their responsibilities are:
- To maintain safety and order - This is done, in part, by having each individual pass through the magnetometer also known as the metal detector.
- Keep order – By lining the people up in orderly fashion and to keep everything moving in an efficient manner to see the Town Prosecutor
- To assist police officers and attorney’s with their individual cases
- To assist the Niagara County Sheriff Department when prisoners are transported to court
- Occasionally, during daytime hours, Jury and nonjury trials are conducted; two officers are on hand to handle these as well.
The Lewiston Police Department is currently seeking federal funding to start a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit. This unit will target highly traveled roadways used by commercial vehicles on a daily basis. The Lewiston Police Department teamed up with New York State Department of Transportation in March of 2013 and conducted road checks of commercial vehicles on Saunders Settlement Road at Lewiston 2 Fire Department, which yielded several traffic infractions. The Lewiston Police Department’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit would be dedicated to removing unsafe trucks from the Town’s roadways and ensure the safe operation of commercial vehicles on such roadways.
The Lewiston Police Department is proud to have a volunteer member on board, Chaplain Richard James, a Pastor of a local church. He rides with various officers from 4 to 8 hours at a time, and is there to listen without judgment to any joys and/or needs anyone may have. Pastor uses Confidentiality with pride and is a key role when assisting others in any way he can. Chaplain R. James also interacts with people outside the department during times of stressful situations, where a listening ear is needed, and where a quiet prayer on their behalf is required. Call the Lewiston Police office at (716) 754-8477, if you need someone outside of your situation to talk to.
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Phone: (716)754-8213
Fax: (716)754-0741
Office hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday.
Fines: Fines are payable by cash or MasterCard/Visa at the court office between the hours of 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Court Sessions are held on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5:30 pm
Coming Soon
Phone: (716)754-8477
Fax: (716) 754-2968
Email: patrol@lewpd.com
4059 Creek Road, Youngstown, NY 14174
© 2014 Lewiston, NY Police Department.
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