In the first photo, Detective Justin Davy stands alongside Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. Starting from the left side of the second photo is Detective Sgt. Chad O’Hara, Undersheriff Dustin Smietana, Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr., Road Patrol Lt. Jeffrey Barton and Road Patrol Sgt. Douglas Eaton. (Submitted photos)

CHENANGO COUNTY— The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office announced five recent promotions following the retirement of Undersheriff Joshua Gould.

The promotions included Undersheriff Dustin Smietana, Road Patrol Lt. Jeffrey Barton, Detective Sgt. Chad O’Hara, Road Patrol Sgt. Douglas Eaton and Detective Justin Davy.

Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. said many of the chosen candidates were “natural fits” due to their commitment and loyalty to the office. Some of them, like Smietana and O’Hara, have worked at the office for over a decade.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has been serving the county community since 1798, and Cutting welcomes the change the promotions will bring.

“A lot of places are afraid or don’t embrace change, and I’ve already embraced change,” Cutting said. “Sometimes it brings new insights or new thoughts to the management of the sheriff's office, and I look forward to that.”

As undersheriff, Smietana said he is head of all four of the office’s divisions and checks in with them daily. He said he remains committed to supporting his colleagues and their growth no matter what concentrations they choose.

“My goal is to teach everyone everything that I know and that can make them successful in what their paths are here,” Smietana said. “Whatever they be, I want them to be the most successful they can be where they're at.”