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Syracuse Mayor-elect Sharon Owens has appointed Mark Rusin as the new chief of police for the Syracuse Police Department. Rusin will take over from retiring Chief Joseph Cecile on January 14, 2026. At 42, Rusin will be the youngest chief to lead the department in over 100 years, matching the age of Thomas Sardino when he became chief in 1970.
Rusin, a 2005 SUNY Geneseo graduate, has been with the Syracuse Police Department since 2006. He currently serves as deputy chief, overseeing the Uniform Bureau, which includes 265 officers and 50 civilian employees. His responsibilities have included implementing the department's body-worn camera program and working on the use of force policy.
Mayor-elect Owens praised Rusin's understanding of police policy and creativity in implementation, having worked closely with him on several initiatives. Rusin expressed his honor at continuing to serve the community in his new role, thanking Chief Cecile for his guidance during the transition.
Rusin's appointment comes as the department faces challenges, including public concerns over the use of drones as first responders. He also played a key role in enhancing security at the local mall, Destiny USA, by increasing police presence to reduce theft.
Rusin said, "I'm incredibly honored to continue to serve this community and the Syracuse Police Department in this new role." He will be accountable to Mayor-elect Owens and the Syracuse Common Council.
As Syracuse prepares for this leadership change, the community looks forward to Rusin's approach to modernizing and improving the police department's operations.