LARCHMONT, NY (October 19, 2026) — Larchmont Police Chief Joseph Paprota abruptly retired less than seven weeks after taking command of the department, leaving unanswered questions about his sudden departure as newly obtained records reveal three substantiated disciplinary findings during his career, including violations involving false official statements, prisoner security and the handling of a domestic violence incident.
Paprota, who succeeded longtime police Chief Christopher McNerney at the end of August, notified the village of his retirement in mid-October. Mayor Brigid Brennan confirmed his departure in a statement provided to the Larchmont Loop on October 17 but offered no explanation for the unexpected retirement.
“Chief Joseph Paprota has notified the Village that he is retiring. Lt Dan Calapai will oversee the department while the Village conducts a search for a new Chief,” Brennan said. “Larchmont is fortunate to have such a dedicated and talented team who will continue their important police duties without interruption.”
Paprota had been promoted from lieutenant to chief following McNerney’s retirement after a 32-year law enforcement career. His tenure as Larchmont’s top police official lasted less than two months.
Documents obtained by Talk of the Sound show that Paprota was disciplined on three separate occasions between 2011 and 2020. Each case was identified as “Substantiated/Founded” in disclosure documents issued by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office on September 17, 2026.
2011 Investigation Involved False Official Statements
The earliest disciplinary case stemmed from a June 28, 2011, incident in which Paprota, then a police officer assigned to desk duty, dispatched another officer outside the Village of Larchmont without proper authorization.
According to a July 29, 2011, personnel order signed by then-Chief John G. Poleway, Paprota directed Police Officer Doucette, who was assigned to villagewide patrol duties, to Harding Drive in New Rochelle, causing the officer to leave Larchmont without proper authority or cause.
An internal investigation, subsequently reviewed by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, determined that Paprota violated several provisions of the department’s operations manual.
Among the violations were provisions requiring officers to truthfully answer questions concerning their employment and prohibiting false official statements. The department also found that Paprota acted in concert with and aided another officer in leaving an assigned patrol post without a police or personal necessity.
The disciplinary order described the penalty as “extremely lenient” and warned that future violations could result in escalating discipline.
Paprota was required to forfeit three vacation days and was immediately removed from his assignment as a field training officer.
The order also stated that the discipline was intended to be part of a continuing progressive disciplinary system.
2017 Prisoner Security Violation
Six years later, Paprota, then a sergeant, was disciplined for failing to properly secure a female prisoner in a holding cell at Larchmont Police Headquarters.
According to a July 10, 2017, personnel order signed by Captain Antonio Rigano, the incident occurred shortly before midnight on July 23, 2017.
Paprota placed the prisoner in Cell No. 1 but failed to ensure that the cell door was properly secured. The door could be opened without a key or other means of unlocking it.
An internal investigation determined that Paprota had violated department procedures for safeguarding prisoners.
The department imposed a penalty of one day’s pay or one vacation day. Paprota agreed to forfeit one vacation day.
2020 Domestic Violence Investigation
The third disciplinary case arose from Paprota’s handling of a domestic violence-related telephone call on August 7, 2020.
According to an August 27, 2020, personnel order signed by Lt. Juan F. Sanchez, Paprota failed to dispatch appropriate police and emergency personnel after assuming responsibility for a telephone call received by the department.
The underlying investigation describes a call involving a mother seeking assistance with her adult daughter, who reportedly had stopped taking prescribed medication. During the conversation, police personnel became aware of a dispute involving the daughter’s father.
An investigative report concluded that Paprota failed to properly investigate the incident, failed to arrange an appropriate police response and failed to dispatch emergency assistance.
The department determined that the circumstances required police action under its domestic violence procedures. The incident ultimately resulted in an arrest four days after the original call.
Paprota was disciplined for failure to perform his duties and ordered to forfeit three days’ pay or three vacation days. He agreed to surrender three vacation days.
District Attorney Disclosed Disciplinary Records
The three disciplinary files were accompanied by disclosure notices dated September 17, 2026, from the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
Each notice identified Paprota as a member of the Larchmont Police Department and classified the underlying disciplinary matter as substantiated or founded.
The notices referenced New York Criminal Procedure Law Section 245.20(1)(k), which addresses the disclosure of information that may tend to impeach the credibility of a prosecution witness.
The District Attorney’s Office explained that it was providing the records out of an abundance of caution while reserving the right to dispute whether the information was legally required to be disclosed or could be used during cross-examination.
The notices do not establish when the District Attorney’s Office first obtained the underlying disciplinary records or identify the criminal proceeding in which the disclosures were made.
The 2017 and 2020 notices indicate that additional information was sealed or redacted.
Questions Surround Sudden Retirement
Paprota’s sudden departure raises questions about the circumstances of his retirement and the village’s decision to appoint him chief despite his previous disciplinary history.
The available records do not establish whether the disciplinary findings played any role in his departure or whether village officials considered them during the selection process.
The village has not publicly explained why Paprota retired so soon after his appointment, whether his departure was entirely voluntary or whether any separation agreement was reached.
The disciplinary records also do not indicate whether the September 17 disclosures were connected in any way to the October retirement.
Paprota’s appointment followed the retirement of McNerney, who had led the department for approximately four years and was credited with modernizing and restructuring its operations. Paprota advanced from sergeant to lieutenant during McNerney’s tenure before being selected to succeed him.
With Paprota’s departure, Lt. Dan Calapai has assumed responsibility for overseeing the department while Larchmont conducts another search for a police chief.
The village now faces the task of selecting its second police chief in less than three months, with questions remaining about its previous selection process and the unexplained departure of the officer it chose to lead the department.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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