ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Kristen Thorne officially became the 20th Police Chief of the city of Elmira in a ceremony Friday afternoon. Family, friends and fellow officers gathered in the City of Elmira to see Thorne officially be appointed to Chief of Police. 

“There were numerous agencies; Horseheads PD, the Corning PD Chief was down here, (New York) State Police, a lot of my own guys, so that makes very happy,” Chief Thorne said, adding, “It makes me feel like I have the support of a lot of outside agencies. 

Before taking on chief responsibilities. Thorne served as the deputy chief since August of 2022. He was named acting and then interim chief, after the city of Elmira removed former chief Anthony Alvernaz from the position in January. 

“I'm feeling the weight of the responsibility over the last month, but it feels good,” Thorne said. 

Thorne says he's looking forward to putting his own mark on the Elmira Police Department. He expressed his plans to leave the department in an even better place than he found it.  

“I figured that once I get up and running, it will be good and it will be semi-smooth sailing from there.” Thorne said. 

Thorne has been a member of the Elmira Police Department since 2004. He says one of his first goals is to fill his staff out and work with the Elmira community to improve the City.