With his left hand on a bible and his right hand raised, Michael Zurlo took the Oath of Office in a ceremony at the Mechanicville High School auditorium. He's taking over for James Bowen who is retiring after 40 years in office. He was New York State's longest serving sheriff.
Zurlo says he's ready and he's up for the challenge and will continue to build on Sheriff Bowen's legacy.
He says his first order of business is to meet with the staff and the 217 men and women in uniform. Also at the top of his agenda is to bring the department fully into the 21st century.
Zurlo said he will improve communication and technology in the sheriff's office and has promised to take a "common sense" approach to enforcing the NY-SAFE Act, which was a hotly contested issue during the campaign.
Zurlo says his overall goal is the safety of the people in Saratoga County.