Garcia Promoted to Police Sergeant in Pleasantville [VIDEO]

Longtime Pleasantville Police Officer Juan Garcia was promoted to the position of sergeant last night.

"This is a great moment for the . For many years we have been providing service to the people of Pleasantville with more officers than we have today. With the trying times and financial woes, we have been trying to do more with less over the past few years," stated Chief of Police Richard Love.

Love said over the past few years the department has gone from 26 personnel to 20 , when Thomas Woods joined as a police officer. The chief was promoted from detective lieutenant after former Chief Anthony Chiarlitti .

"It's very important to have officers move through the department and get promoted and maybe someday take over the reigns of the police department," Love said. "It's our task to bring younger officers and new officers to us in the village...and train them and someday have them take over—and Juan Garcia is one of those people."

Love told Garcia he and Lieutenant Wilson "have discussed this for a long period of time and believe you will handle this position very well."

Garcia thanked the crowd of family members, friends and department members who came out to support him as the village board unanimously passed a resolution for his promotion.

"I'll try to do my best," he said. 

Garcia's position is effective today and is subject to a probationary period of 52-78 weeks. His annual salary is set at $105,272.

"We are delighted not only to have you here," said Mayor Peter Scherer, "but to see you advance to this role."