Chief Barton was appointed as Chief of the Horseheads Police Department on November 28, 2006, replacing David Kole who retired in November. Chief Barton began his career with the Horseheads Police Department in 1993. From 1997 to 2003 He was assigned to the Elmira Police Multi-Agency SWAT team. He was promoted to sergeant in 2001. Some of Chief Barton’s past responsibilities include supervising a road patrol shift, managing the Uniform Crime Reports for New York State and the F.B.I., and overseeing the police department police mountain bike unit. He is also a certified firearms instructor and general police topics instructor.

Sergeant West began his career in law enforcement in 1997 with the Corning Police Department. In 2001 he decided to join the Horseheads Police Department, where he was born and raised. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2004. He is a certified firearms instructor, and general topics police instructor. Some sergeant West’s responsibilities are: Supervising a road patrol shift, overseeing the department’s computer aided dispatch and records management systems. He is a DEA certified Methamphetamine Lab technician. Sergeant West with the assistance of Officer Zack Stewart was instrumental in developing a lesson plan on Meth Lab officer safety, which was taught to over 800 law enforcement personnel.

Chief David M. Kole

Chief Kole is a Horseheads native and a 1976 graduate of Horseheads High School. He attended Corning Community College. Chief Kole began his career in 1984 after being hired by the Horseheads Police Department. His grandfather, Leon Kole served as a Horseheads Police officer in the 1940’s and later became the Town of Horseheads Police Officer, inspired Chief Kole. Chief Kole is a 1984 graduate of Session I of the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy. He is also a graduate of the 177th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1991. While serving as sergeant, Chief Kole was assigned to supervise 3pm-11pm and 11pm-7am shifts, he also supervised and managed the departments Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management systems. As part of the Community Oriented Policing efforts, Chief Kole developed one of the first “Citizens Police Academies” in this area, which proved to be very successful. He was promoted to Chief of Police in 2001. Chief Kole is a New York State Office of Public Safety (formerly known as DCJS) certified Master Police Instructor. Some topics he instructs are: Crime scene management, Public Safety Critical Incident Management, Critical Incident Command, Remote Tactical Robotic operations, Community Policing and crime prevention techniques, Accident reconstruction techniques, domestic violence mandates & enforcement, First Line Supervisor School and Instructor Development Course.

Some of Chief Kole’s hobbies are: Wood working, mountain biking and restoring a 1969 SS396 Chevelle muscle car.
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Sergeant Michael J. Barton

Sergeant Barton began his career with the Horseheads Police Department in 1993. From 1997 to 2003 He was assigned to the Elmira Police Multi-Agency SWAT team. He was promoted to sergeant in 2001. Some of sergeants Barton’s responsibilities include supervising a road patrol shift, managing the Uniform Crime Reports for New York State and the F.B.I., sergeant Barton also oversees the police department police mountain bike unit. Sergeant Barton is also a certified firearms instructor and general police topics instructor.