Akwesasne police chief out

In this Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 photo, former Akwesasne Police Chief Jerry Swamp stands beside one of their police cruisers which recently underwent a logo change. The MCA has announced that the band and Swamp have parted ways. (AMPS via Newswatch Group)

AKWESASNE – A facelift for the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service seems to have included the chief of police.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne announced Wednesday that Jerel “Jerry” Swamp “is no longer with the MCA, effective March 3, 2017. MCA would like to thank him for his years of service to the community and police department.”

The band did not give any reason for Swamp’s departure, though MCA spokeswoman Shannon Roundpoint told Cornwall Newswatch the statement had come from their human resources (HR) department.

The chief had recently undertook a plan to modernize the force, including the addition of new social media accounts and changing the colours of the seven police cruisers to a white, black and gold theme.

Swamp had been chief of police since April 2009 and had assisted as acting deputy chief of police after Police Chief Lewis Mitchell resigned in June 2008.

The statement adds that Lee Ann O’Brien has been named the acting chief of police.

Roundpoint said O’Brien has been with the force for 12 years and started as a constable. She is currently a patrol sergeant. O’Brien has previous held acting duties as deputy chief of police and inspector with AMPS.

AMPS patrols the districts of Snye and St. Regis as well as Cornwall Island.