When Michael Crippen became village police chief in the early 1980's he took over from Hank Nicols. When Crippen retires Friday, he'll turn the department over to Nicols' daughter Diana.

Diana Nicols, 33, was approved last week by the mayor and board of trustees to become Cooperstown's new chief of police.

Village police committee chairman Stu Taugher said Monday that Nicols was a "standout" among the five candidates interviewed for the position.

"She is a native of Cooperstown, highly qualified, well-educated and experienced," he said. "She has a lot of good personality, her head's on straight and her feet are on the ground. I think she'll do a good job."

Mayor Carol Waller agreed with Taugher about Nicols' qualifications and because of the importance of the $45,000 a year job, had asked the entire board to be part of the interview process.

Nicols has eleven years of experience in law enforcement split evenly between departments in Oneonta and Cooperstown. She holds a BA in human ecology, and MA in criminal justice and is tens hours and a dissertation short of her PhD in criminal justice.

She is currently an adjunct professor in criminal justice at SUNY Delhi and an instructor for the National Safety Council in Syracuse and the Otsego County Police Academy at SUNY Oneonta.

Nicols, who usually works nights and weekends in the village, has been working days this week in preparation for her new position.

She said becoming a police officer was not something she was thinking about when her father had the job. In fact, she said her father tried to talk her out of going into law enforcement when she started over ten years ago.

One of the things she likes best about being in law enforcement is the variety.

"Everyday it's something different," she said, adding that she enjoys interacting with people.

Nicols said she does not anticipate any big changes in the department when she takes over.

"I'm looking forward to keeping the same friendly, effective and professional department," she said.

A great deal of what the department does, she said, is provide service to residents of the community.

"We help with a lot of non-safety community services," she said.

Nicols said she is a believer in foot patrols where an officer has an opportunity to observe more and interact with more people.

She also likes the idea of establishing a bike patrol in the village.

"I think that would be great. It's quieter and faster getting around in the summer, but harder to pull over cars," she said. "I think Cooperstown would be a great place for a bike patrol."

"Of course we are both so very proud. We have always known how talented and special Diana is and we are honored that Mayor Waller and the board think so too. We know that there were several well qualified candidates and we are pleased that the board has placed their confidence in Diana. We know that Diana will fulfill their most optimistic hopes and expectations," her father said.

Having held the job himself, Hank Nicols said the only words of wisdom he has for his daughter would be to remind her of what she already knows - that she has a long history, tradition and legacy of public service and protection to live up to most recently demonstrated by chief Crippen.

"She will only be able to succeed if she works in partnership with the community, and that partnership, like any other, requires good communication. Listen to what everyone has to say before acting," he said. "And always, take all advice with a grain of skepticism. Including this."

Chief Crippen said he believes Nicols is a "wonderful choice."

"She's been with us for five years and has been a good officer. She has all the qualities necessary to be a good chief," he said.

Nicols will be required to take and pass the chief of police civil service exam which will be offered again in March. She plans to relocate with her family to the Cooperstown area soon.