Westhampton Beach Village police chief announces retirement

The Westhampton Beach Village police chief has announced his retirement, after an election that ousted the mayor.

Chief Ray Dean plans to retire June 30, the same day four-term Mayor Conrad Teller leaves office. The chief said his decision, made 11 months before his contract was to expire, is unrelated to the leadership change.

"I promised my wife that I would have a summer without the phone ringing," Dean said. "That's basically all it is."

Dean, 53, has served as chief for 15 years. He had previously worked for the Southampton Town Police Department for 15 years.

Dean said he completed his state retirement paperwork about a month ago. He told trustees of his retirement on Monday.

"I was surprised, to say the least," said trustee Patricia DiBenedetto. "I thought for sure he'd finish out his contract."

"I'm sure he's considered retiring very carefully," said trustee Ralph Urban. "It's a very personal decision."

Teller described Dean's departure as "the end of an era" and said their tenure together was "cooperative."

On Friday, Maria Moore defeated Teller to win a two-year term as the village's next mayor. Moore, whose term begins July 1, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Dean's retirement leaves the department with 11 officers. Lt. Trevor Gonce, whom Dean endorsed to take over the department's leadership, will serve as interim chief, Dean said.

Dean's base salary this year is $167,507. His contract was scheduled to expire next May 31.