Kenneth J. Swart, Jr., Chief of Police

Chief Swart is the current police chief of the Saugerties Police department after he was appointed Interim Chief of Police in August 2024 and then permanently promoted to the position in October of that same year. Before assuming leadership of the department, he served as a lieutenant from 2015 to 2024, where he oversaw the Detective Division, specialty units, and discovery. Earlier in his career, he served as a Detective Sergeant supervising the Detective Division. Additionally, he served as the Chairman of the New York State Counter Terrorism – Zone 14.

His law enforcement career began in 2000 with the Village of Saugerties Police Department. After graduating from the Kingston Police Academy, he served both the Village and Town of Saugerties Police Departments concurrently before joining the Town of Saugerties Police Department exclusively in 2003.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 269, September 2017), Chief Swart also holds a degree from Columbia-Greene Community College. During his studies, he participated in national and international criminal justice field programs conducted in partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi. As a New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Master Instructor, Chief Swart has hosted and instructed various police trainings statewide. His certifications include Ethical Awareness Moderator, Domestic Violence, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Breath Analysis, Procedural Justice, and Use of Force; he is also a former D.A.R.E. instructor.

Beyond traditional law enforcement, Chief Swart became a New York State Level II Fire/Arson Investigator in 2014. He served with the Ulster County Fire Investigation Unit from 2014 until early 2025.

Chief Swart’s leadership also extends to the Town of Saugerties Policemen’s Benevolent Association, where he previously served as Vice President and President. During his presidency in 2010, he played a critical role in the merger of the Village and Town police agencies, assisting both governments in facilitating a smooth transition into one unified department.