It is safe to say that Ashley Czelatka is already familiar with the community of Westhampton Beach.Most regulars of the Westhampton Beach Farmers Market, held on Saturdays in the municipal parking lot on Mill Road, will recognize her as the traffic control officer who could often be found directing cars and trucks on one of the busiest streets in the village last summer. Others, including merchants, will recall her as being someone who was easy to approach and talk to, whether they were discussing a serious matter or simply offering their opinion of the weather.
It was that sense of community, Ms. Czelatka explained during a recent interview, that inspired her to jump at the opportunity to become a fully fledged officer of the Westhampton Beach Village Police Department—the first female officer in the outfit’s 88-year history.
Officer Czelatka, who graduated from the Suffolk County Police Academy on May 17 and accepted her new job earlier this month, said she is thrilled to be given the opportunity to become a full-time employee. In spite of her history-making appointment, the 26-year-old said she still views herself as one of the guys in the department, which now boasts 13 full-time officers. – READ MORE
