Rusty Hauptman

Rusty HauptmanRussell (Rusty) Hauptman is a 1984 graduate of Horseheads High School. He first became interested in law enforcement while attending summer classes at SUNY Corning Community College on Goff Road while attending SUNY Fredonia full-time in the late 1980s. He was hired by the Elmira Heights Police Department hired in January of 1997 and attended session 14 of the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy (STLEA) at CCC’s Goff Road Criminal Justice complex.

Prior to becoming a police officer, Hauptman worked plain-clothes security for local retail and uniformed security at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center, while also working at Schweitzer Aircraft, Chemung County 911, and as a driver for the Elmira Heights Fire Department.

Since retiring from the Elmira Heights Police Department in May of 2018, Hauptman has served as the Assistant Director of the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy, teaching many different blocks of instruction and coordinating classes and instructors for the many required classes for the Basic Police Course, Supervisor School, and other in-service courses.

Over the past 32 years, Hauptman has held many titles in both the police and fire services. Hauptman has held the following police titles:

  • Patrolman (1997-2002) - Basic Police School STLEA at CCC Session 14 graduate (July 1998)
  • Police Sergeant (2002-2016) - Supervisor School STLEA at CCC (March 2003)
  • Police Chief (2016-2018)


Certifications & Responsibilities 

  • NYS Bike Officer
  • General Topics Instructor
  • Grant Writing Coordinator
  • Juvenile Law Day Coordinator
  • IMPACT Records Management Coordinator
  • Radar/Lidar Operator
  • Breath Test Operator
  • Payroll Coordinator
  • Scheduling Coordinator
  • Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Presenter
  • Strong Kids/Safe Kids
  • Fire Department Open Houses