Mayor Walsh and Chief Cecile Name First Deputy Chief and Deputy Chief

Published on May 03, 2022

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Chief of Police Joe Cecile announced the promotions of Deputy Chief Richard Shoff to first deputy chief and Captain Julie Shulsky to deputy chief. The appointments follow Mayor Walsh’s naming of Cecile, who served as first deputy chief for 12 years, to police chief on April 22.

Shoff, who has been with the Syracuse Police Department for 35 years, was named Deputy Chief in 2018.  He currently leads the Support Services Bureau overseeing a wide range of personnel, administrative, and public safety functions for the department. For nearly a decade as a lieutenant, captain and deputy chief, he was responsible for community policing citywide working to address neighborhood safety and quality of life issues.

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“Rich Shoff is admired across the City for his deep knowledge of our neighborhoods.  He has provided exemplary leadership in his role as Deputy Chief and throughout his volunteerism in the community,” said Mayor Walsh. “These experiences, coupled with his commitment to the residents of Syracuse, make me confident that he will serve both the department and our residents with distinction.” 

Prior to joining SPD, Shoff spent almost six years with United States Navy as a Missile Fire Control Technician where he maintained and operated electronic and mechanical components of several USN Missile Fire Control Systems. Four of those years were attached to the USS South Carolina to maintain the Anti-Aircraft Missile Fire Control System, as well as the Harpoon Anti-Ship Weapons System. Beyond his role as Deputy Chief, Shoff volunteers on the Onondaga County Youth Board, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Advisory Council, Youth Substance Prevention Group and the Police Athletic League.

Shulsky joined the Syracuse Police Department in 2006 and served in a variety of patrol division roles across the city over 13 years. In 2013, she became the first female canine officer in the department.  She was promoted to sergeant in 2015, lieutenant in 2019, and captain in 2021.  Mostly recently, she served as commanding officer of the Training Division leading training and education for the department. Shulsky holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Keuka College.

“Julie Shulsky is a proven leader in the Syracuse Police Department. Her experience in the patrol division enabled her to develop strong relationships throughout the community, and more recently while leading training and education, Julie has developed an equally strong bond with her fellow officers,” said Mayor Walsh. “In her current role, Captain has helped lead the department and our community through unprecedented times.

“I’m very excited about these two promotions.  Deputy Chief Shoff not only brings with him tremendous institutional knowledge but also far-reaching and robust community connections, all forged from his many years in Community Policing where he earned the mantle of ‘Mr. Community Policing,’” said Chief Cecile. “Captain Shulsky has been overseeing one of the most critical jobs of all law enforcement organizations – that of shaping and developing the new generation of officers.  In her role as the Commanding Officer of the Training Division, Captain Shulsky has brought 21st century, best practice training not only to the recruits in the Academy but also to the existing rank and file so that all of our Officers and Detectives can better serve our community.”