By Rick Pfeiffer
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
As a boy growing up in Niagara County, what Dave Page knew about the New York State Park Police was mostly gleaned from the pages of the Niagara Gazette.
“I knew the Park Police by only a couple of things,” Page said with a smile. “Saving people out of the rapids and rope rescues. All I knew was what I read in the paper.”
These days he knows a whole lot more.
As he begins his 27th year in the Park Police, Page is the new commanding officer of the department’s newly reconfigured Western Region. He replaces retired Niagara Parks commander Vince Iacovitti.
It’s his second tour of duty here. Page grew up in Cambria and graduated from Starpoint High School and the Criminal Justice program at Niagara County Community College.
In 1984 he joined the Park Police and was immediately assigned to a post as a patrol office in his own backyard, the Niagara State Parks.
“It was wonderful,” Page recalled as he sat in his office at the local Park Police headquarters on Goat Island. “I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to get hired here in the Falls. I loved the job.”
Though he grew up in the region, Page said he didn’t have a strong connection to the state parks before he started with the Park Police. He said he immersed himself in learning everything he could about the local parks.
“I spent a lot of time on foot patrol and had contact with people from all over the world,” Page said. “I saw the high level of service provided by the Park Police to everyday people who are just here to enjoy the beauty of the falls.”
Page also discovered that, after the falls, the most prized picture a tourist takes is with man or woman in uniform.
“People do like to take photos of us,” Page laughed. “I was the object of more photo opportunities than you could imagine.”
While Page says he recognizes the importance of knowing the history and folklore of the parks and having an understanding of the everyday needs of visitors, he also quickly learned the importance of the department’s rescue capabilities.
In 1985, Page faced his first rescue when two Niagara University students tried going over the falls in a barrel.
“They launched off Three Sisters Island in a hand-crafted barrel,” Page recalled. “It quickly became apparent the barrel wasn’t going to make it and they bailed out to an outcropping off of Three Sisters.”
Page and other Park Police officers then got a line to the would-be daredevils and pulled them to shore.
“I remember thinking I got through that, but I want to be better at it next time,” Page said. “I think over the last 25 years, we’ve really improved our (rescue capabilities.)”
In 1992, Page left to become the commanding officer of the Park Police Department’s Genesee Region, encompassing the five counties surrounding Rochester and including Letchworth State Park and Hamlin Beach. He returns to his roots as the commander of a new region that now includes 10 counties and parks, beaches and camp grounds that range from Lake Ontario to the Southern Tier.
“As a career possibility, I always thought about (returning to the Falls),” Page said. “We have great staff, great officers and great commanders here.”
Police brass in other local law enforcement agencies say they’re happy that Page has come home.
“Dave was always cool, calm and collected,” Falls Police Superintendent John Chella said. “This (new post) is an awesome responsibility and I’m really looking forward to working with Dave again.”
Page said he too is looking forward to working with “old friends” in the Fall police and fire departments and Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.
“I’m thrilled,” Page said. “It’s great to come back to the Falls and see people working and serving the people here. The challenge will be how do we deploy the resources we have and maintain services keeping our (parks) safe and the people who visit here safe.”
