From left, Sgt. Travis LaBar, Patrolman Aaron Sharlow and Chief James Joyce pose at the Saranac Lake police station in September 2020. (Enterprise photo — Amy Scattergood)

We are sad to hear about a family emergency that led James Joyce to step down as Saranac Lake’s police chief and return to the role of sergeant. We respect his privacy over the details, but we send him and his family our best wishes.

We are grateful to Leigh Wenske, a sergeant and veteran of the SLPD with 24 years of law enforcement experience, for filling the role of interim chief while village officials search for a long-term successor. He plans to retire in August, but we know he’ll do a good job in the meantime.

We think Joyce has done a great job. He’s smart and caring and level-headed, and his short time at the helm was a critical period for police agencies nationwide.

The 44-year-old grew up here and joined the Saranac Lake Police Department in 2006. He became chief just over a year ago — right before the coronavirus pandemic changed everything, and then the George Floyd killing change policing forever.

Last June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered every New York police agency to draft reform plans, and Saranac Lake handled that challenge exceedingly well. Joyce was one of the chiefs who embraced the reform, seeing it as an opportunity to improve the profession — to raise the bar for standards and organization, to get the support officers need and to prove to the public police were worthy of trust. He and a citizen committee led a reform process full of meetings open to the public. They adopted a new partnership with counselors to help them handle mental health and substance abuse situations, and they arranged for a major increase in training for the village’s officers. It was a lot to take on — probably the most ambitious police reform effort in the region — but they got it done and in place.

The SLPD is in a strong position as a result.

Joyce said he hopes the village hires a new chief who cares about carrying out the reform plan, and also someone with experience, a level head and connection to the community. Wenske said he wants to see an active law enforcement member with “good character.” Village Manager John Sweeney said he’s looking for someone adaptable with their “finger on the pulse” of the area. Mayor Clyde Rabideau said he wants “another James Joyce.”

While Joyce’s time as chief was short, it made an impact.