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Tequesta names new police chief
By MILL DIPAOLO
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 7:39 p.m. Friday, June 24, 2011
Posted: 5:11 p.m. Friday, June 24, 2011
After almost 35 years in law enforcement - from street cop to prison guard - Lt. Pete Pitocchelli said he's
ready to be chief of the village's 17- member police department.
"I want Tequesta to feel comfortable with me and the other officers. We all are a team," said Pitocchelli, a
53- year -old Buffalo native who likes antique cars, classic rock 'n roll and golf.
Pitocchelli's first police job was in Leroy, a small upstate New York community with 10 officers.
"Domestics. Service calls. Crime scenes. We did it all. I learned teamwork," he said.
Dependability is a big part Pitocchelli's character, said his son Brandon, a University of Florida
sophomore. Brandon said his father was always on time for football practice and other events.
"I can always depend on him to do what he says he will do," Brandon said.
Pitocchelli joined the Delray Beach police department in 1982. He stayed 24 years. He remembers
working Atlantic Avenue before trendy restaurants replaced the vacant stores with bars on the windows.
Pitocchelli met his wife Kristine in Boston's, a Delray Beach restaurant. Kristine was being bothered by a
customer and walked away from her chair.
"When I came back, Pete was in the customer's chair," she said.
Pitocchelli joined the Tequesta department in 2008. He and Kristine were living in Spokane, Wash.,
where he was a prison guard.
Pitocchelli starts July 5. He takes over from former chief Rick Ricciardi, who will stay a few months and
then retire. The position pays $93,700 annually.
"I don't want a 9 -to -5 chief. I want him out there in the community and teaching other officers to do the
same," Councilman Calvin Turnquest said.
bill_dipaolo @pbpost.com
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