City of Syracuse Mayor Elect Sharon Owens today announced she will appoint Mark Rusin as the new Chief of Police for the Syracuse Police Department, succeeding Chief Joe Cecile who will retire on January 14, 2026. Chief Rusin will be the youngest Chief to lead the Department in over 100 years.

As Chief of Police, Rusin will be the Chief Executive Officer of the Syracuse Police Department and will be the final authority in all matters of Department policy, operations and discipline. The Chief ensures that the Department's mission is executed efficiently and effectively; creates a vision of the desired future state of the Department; develops strategic goals and objectives; and coordinates all Departmental functions. The Chief of Police is accountable to Mayor Elect Owens and the Common Council of the City of Syracuse.

Rusin currently serves as a Deputy Chief of Police, responsible for oversight of the Uniform Bureau, comprising 265 sworn Officers, and 50 civilian employees. The Uniform Bureau of the Syracuse Police Department includes the Patrol Division, SIRP Section and the Traffic Section.

In his role as Deputy Chief, he has worked with Onondaga County to develop and institute a holistic diversionary response model, implemented an innovative dispatch model to reduce call wait time for those who call 911, and partnered with local and State law enforcement agencies to create the Retail Crime Task Force at Destiny USA. To date, the task force has helped recover over $300,000 in stolen merchandise, and led to a 70% reduction in retail theft at the Mall.

Prior to his role as a Deputy Chief, Rusin worked extensively with Mayor Elect Owens on implementing Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 203 and Mayor Walsh's Executive Order No. 1 - to reimagine the profession. Mayor Elect Owens and Rusin worked collaboratively on the Department's Use of Force Policy, the Body Worn Camera Policy and the implementation of the body worn camera program.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Deputy Chief Rusin on several important initiatives involving the Police Department. It was through this collaborative process that I was fortunate to experience his thorough understanding of police policy and creativity in implementation. I look forward to our opportunity to work together in our new roles. I’d like to thank Chief Joe Cecile for his dedication to our community and wish the best that life brings him and his family.” said Mayor Elect Owens.

I'm incredibly honored to continue to serve this community and the Syracuse Police Department in this new role," said Mark Rusin. "I'd like to thank Chief Cecile for guiding me through this transition, and I want to wish him all the best as he heads into a well deserved retirement after over 40 years of dedicated service to his community."

Rusin received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and a Master of Science in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California at Irvine. He has instructed courses for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services regarding Use of Force and Reality Based training.

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Syracuse Mayor-Elect Sharon Owens announces the reappointment of Michael J. Monds to continue his service and begin his ninth year as Fire Chief, as well as the retirement of 1st Deputy Chief Daniel P. Downes, who will conclude more than 26 years of distinguished service to the City of Syracuse on January 3, 2026.

Chief Downes, a veteran of the United States Navy who served aboard the USS America (CV-66), has served as First Deputy Chief for the past five and a half years. He comes from a proud firefighting family, including his brother Tim Downes, who retired in 2006, and their father, Michael Downes, who retired as Chief of Fire in 1994.

Chief Downes extends his gratitude to all the dedicated firefighters who come to work every day and make this the best job in the world.

Chief Monds added, “I am deeply grateful to Chief Downes for his years of exceptional service to the Fire Department. It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside him as we strengthened our operations to best serve the residents of the city.”

With Chief Downes’ retirement, Executive Deputy Chief Elton Davis will be appointed 1st Deputy Chief. Chief Davis has served the City of Syracuse for more than 28 years, beginning his career in 1997 and rising through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, District Chief, Deputy Chief, and Executive Deputy Chief in 2024.

In addition, District Chief Lucas Tortorella — a United States Marine Corps veteran who honorably served from 1999 to 2007 and joined the Syracuse Fire Department in 2008 — has distinguished himself through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, and District Chief. He will be appointed to the position of Executive Deputy Chief.

As part of this leadership transition, Mayor-Elect Owens and Chief Monds express their appreciation for the continued professionalism and dedication shown by Syracuse Fire Department members each day in service to the residents of Syracuse.

Mayor-Elect Owens praised Chief Downes’ service, stating, “Syracuse is fortunate to have a strong Fire Department filled with top-notch fire professionals. Chief Downes’ role as 1st Deputy Chief greatly benefited our City through his dedication, leadership, and commitment to public service over the last five and a half years and throughout his entire career. Additionally, I am grateful that Michael Monds will continue to serve the city as its Fire Chief., and congratulate both Executive Deputy Chief Elton Davis and District Chief Lucas Tortorella on their well deserved promotions.”