Hempstead Village trustees appoint deputy police chief

The Hempstead Village board of trustees has appointed a permanent village police deputy chief at an annual salary of $160,000.

The board unanimously approved at a Tuesday night meeting the selection of Mark A. Matthews to fill the position.

Matthews served with the New York Police Department for about five years before joining the village police department in 1987. He served as a patrol officer, a patrol sergeant and a watch commander.

A Nassau Community College graduate, Matthews was assigned in 2003 as the deputy commanding officer of the traffic unit and the commanding officer of civilian personnel. He is also the commanding officer of the police ceremonial unit. He has numerous certifications related to police training and instruction, and motor carrier enforcement.

In October, the board officially appointed Michael McGowan as police chief and Joseph Sortino as assistant police chief.

McGowan, who will make $193,173 a year, has been on the force since 1978. Sortino will make $172,840 a year.