Lewiston Police Chief to Retire After Decades of Service

After dedicating three decades to law enforcement in Niagara County, Lewiston Police Chief Frank Previte has announced his upcoming retirement, bringing a long and distinguished career to a close. Chief Previte's final working day in uniform will be June 13th.

A Lewiston-Porter High School alumnus, Previte’s commitment to public service began in his teenage years when he joined a local volunteer fire department. That early involvement sparked an interest in police work, setting the foundation for what would become a lifelong career in law enforcement.

He entered the field with support from the Village of Youngstown, which sponsored his enrollment in the county’s police academy. Previte’s first full-time assignment was in Youngstown where he served for two years and quickly rose to the rank of sergeant. During this period, he also took on part-time duties in Middleport.

Previte joined the Lewiston Police Department 28 years ago, climbing the ranks over time. He held the position of sergeant for 15 years before being appointed chief a decade ago. Previte is the longest-serving police chief in Niagara County at the time of his retirement.

Under his leadership, the department expanded significantly. Several full-time roles were added including a lieutenant and school resource officers. The force now includes 16 full-time and 14 part-time officers. Previte emphasized school safety and emergency preparedness, collaborating closely with local districts such as Lewiston-Porter and Niagara Wheatfield.

He also prioritized modernization within the department. Through state funding, the department acquired advanced tools like drones and trained officers in their use. License plate recognition technology was also approved to aid in identifying stolen vehicles and locating missing individuals.

His final appearance at a Village of Lewiston board meeting took place on May 19th where he was formally acknowledged for his service. Previte is expected to recommend a candidate from the civil service list as his successor.

Lewiston Police Chief to Retire After Decades of Service