The Rye Police Department has created a new division that consolidates its detective bureau, information technology, and records bureau under a single command, and promoted a 12-year veteran to run it.

Lt. Lansing Hinrichs was sworn in Wednesday, July 29, to lead the new Operational and Investigative Support Division. The reorganization places three previously separate functions under one lieutenant for the first time, according to MyRye.com.

"Serving the City of Rye has been one of the greatest privileges of my career," Hinrichs said.

Hinrichs joined Rye PD in January 2014. He has rotated through the Patrol Division, Traffic Unit, and Marine Unit, and most recently served as Special Operations Supervisor, where he oversaw the Marine Unit and coordinated the city's swift water team with Rye Fire Department Lt. John Cotter.

Before joining the department, Hinrichs worked as a New York State certified paramedic at St. Luke's-Roosevelt and New York Presbyterian Hospitals in New York City. He grew up in Armonk. He is a Boston University graduate.

The promotion puts Hinrichs on the same organizational tier as Al Hein, who runs the Patrol Division. Both report directly to Public Safety Commissioner Mike Kopy.

Kopy, who also oversees Rye's fire departments, was installed in March as head of the Westchester County Chiefs of Police Association. He has been pushing broader changes at the department: in July, he asked the Rye City Council to expand officer residency rules to allow hires from additional counties, including Dutchess County, to widen the recruiting pool, according to the Rye Record. A public hearing on that proposal is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 12.

The new division does not require a City Council vote. Residents with questions about the department can contact Rye Police at 914-967-1234.