Through an official statement, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced Buffalo Police Commissioner Dan Derenda retired, effective midnight January 17. He served in the department for more than 30 years.
The announcement was sent to the 7 Eyewitness News newsroom at 1:19 a.m. that Derenda was retiring to go after opportunities in the private sector.
A high-ranking police source tells 7 Eyewitness News Derenda was not asked to resign and was not forced out of his position.
Derenda was just reappointed to the commissioner position, after he was approved by the Common Council, on January 9.
The announcement seemed to come as a surprise to most. The source tells us Derenda made the announcement to senior staff members, Tuesday.
The source called the announcement "non-conventional."
Over the summer, North Tonawanda Police Chief William Hall retired on Thursday, January 19. The official announcement was made Wednesday, July 19 at 10:00 a.m.
There was pomp and circumstance for Hall as he left the office for the last time. Included in that celebration was a bagpiper leading Hall through a crowd of police officials, past and present, from North Tonawanda and surrounding communities.
A Buffalo police source tells us, Derenda was a private man and that he didn't want any fanfare.
Deputy Commissioner Byron Lockwood was immediately appointed police commissioner to fill the vacancy.
Police spokesman Mike DeGeorge said the appointment was temporary.
According to the Buffalo City Charter, "...the mayor shall appoint a commissioner of police to serve for a period not to exceed one hundred and eighty days, which temporary appointment shall not be subject to confirmation by the council."
See Through NY, run by the independent Empire Center, reports Derenda made $140,101 in 2017 and $144,353 in 2016.
