In an agreement reached late on May 16, Brockport Police Chief Gary Zimmer has been reinstated as chief pending his retirement on June 17. Zimmer had been on a paid adminstrative leave since February when an investigation into allegations made against the police department was commenced under the direction of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s investigation determined that allegations of a criminal nature were unfounded, but revealed numerous procedural and administrative errors.

The Brockport Village Board called an emergency meeting at 8 a.m. May 17 to approve the agreement, which Zimmer had already signed, according to Village Attorney Roy Heise. Heise said that the eight to ten page document is a confidential personnel record that will not be made public.

According to Heise, the village will assist Zimmer in his application for state retirement. The chief is entitled to all normal benefits per the police contract, Heise said. Brockport will immediately commence a search for a new police chief and Zimmer will assist the village in the orderly transfer of his position, according to the agreement.

The Village Board voted 4-1 in favor of the agreement with Chief Zimmer. Trustee Mort Wexler voted against it. Wexler said that he felt the village "owed a little more to this man after 33 years service." Any financial settlement included in the agreement was not disclosed.

Zimmer has been a Brockport police officer for 33 years, the last seven as police chief. He is also president of the Brockport Board of Education and a former chief of the Brockport Fire Department.