Sheriffs are speaking up in support of proposed changes to discovery and involuntary commitment laws, urging lawmakers to approve what the Sheriffs describe as a “package of common-sense measures” by Governor Kathy Hochul.

“When it comes to criminal justice policy, we sometimes have different views than the Governor’s Office,” noted Chautauqua County Sheriff and NYSSA President James B. Quattrone (picturef). “But on discovery and involuntary commitment, we want New Yorkers to know that the Governor is absolutely on the right track.

"We need appropriate balance in criminal trials,” added Sheriff Quattrone, “between the rights of defendants and the rights of victims and society, and the Governor’s bill would achieve that by returning a modicum of discretion to our judges in pre-trial discovery matters.”

“Under the Governor’s discovery proposal . . . it would allow judges more leeway in making allowances when prosecutors, for good cause, cannot meet those time frames,” said Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple Sr. (pictured).

“Under current law, such failure all too often leads to automatic dismissal of the case, which is unfair to the victims and to the public.”

In Ulster County, Governor Kathy Hochul (pictured, at right) attended a recent press conference with Sheriff Juan Figueroa (left), who spoke in support of changes to the law.

“Amending the discovery law allows a balance in criminal trials," noted Sheriff Figueroa, "thus allowing discretion to our judges in pre-trial discovery matters.”

Sheriff Figueroa said he supported the original reforms but believes the law now creates “unintended consequences,” especially in rural counties where part-time staff struggle to meet deadlines. “It’s unfair to the victims,” he said.

Hall Right – The New York State Sheriffs’ Association was ably represented on a recent visit to the State Capitol. From left to right, Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond, Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting, Cortland County Sheriff Mark Helms, Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol, Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Chautauqua County Sheriff and NYSSA President James Quattrone, Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby and NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe. Sheriffs have made regular visits to the Capitol throughout the legislative season, meeting with their representatives to advocate for the work they do to protect the public.

At Work – Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol (far left), Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa (second from right and far right, respectively) met with New York State Senator Rob Rolison (second from left).

The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has directed prison managers to provide the Department with a list of inmates who are set for release within 110 days and thus would be considered eligible for early release to ease staffing shortages.

Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty (pictured) noted how that move by the Department is a safety issue.

"I wasn't notified. I got it on the news cycle," said Sheriff Dougherty, who is not surprised by the news but is worried about the potential impact.

"Anytime you have inmates coming onto our streets that normally would be incarcerated, it's concerning," the Sheriff continued. "We want to know who these people are, where they're going to be residing, what their future plans are. Do they have employment? What's the future look like for them? Because then we can get a good, decent picture of what it could look like for us."

The suspension in February by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) of taking in state-ready incarcerated individuals from Sheriff's Offices across the state has become a concern for all Sheriffs, including the Erie County Sheriff's John Garcia (pictured).

The suspension will continue through at least May 5, which means the Erie County Sheriff's Office will continue to hold nearly 100 people who are eligible to be transferred into DOCCS custody.

"New York state reimburses the Erie County Sheriff’s Office $100 each day for each state-ready incarcerated individual who remains in our custody starting 10 days after they become state-ready," said Sheriff Garcia. "However, this reimbursement is insufficient to cover the cost of incarcerating many of these individuals. Our jail population includes 779 individuals, 32 more than our average daily census for 2024.”

"The sooner DOCCS can resume normal operations and resume intake of incarcerated individuals, the better it will be for me and my fellow Sheriffs across New York State," Garcia said.

The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office has promoted Chief Correction Officer Stacy Lambert (pictured at left) to Chief Deputy Sheriff, the first time a female has held this position in the Sheriff’s Office. Ontario County Sheriff Dave Cirencione is pictured on the right.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Lambert has served with Ontario County for 21 years. She began her career as a Correction Officer in 2004 before transitioning to the Road Patrol Division in 2012. In 2018, she was promoted to Correction Sergeant and was promoted again to Chief Correction Officer in 2022.

In her new position, Chief Deputy Lambert will be responsible for policy development and implementation, vendor contracts, and supporting the Professional Conduct Unit.

A New York State Supreme Court judge has ruled that Oneida County can hire separated corrections officers who formerly worked in the State’s prison system, and issued a temporary restraining order countering the Governor’s Executive Order disqualifying corrections officers who participated in a strike in February from working in any government jobs in New York.

The Court found that Oneida County demonstrated irreparable harm with the effects of Governor’s executive order.

“This decision is a crucial step toward ensuring that we can fill critical vacancies in our Sheriff’s Office with experienced, well-trained correction officers,” Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol (pictured) said in a statement. “The Governor’s executive order unfairly targeted these professionals, preventing them from continuing to serve their communities. Public safety is our top priority, and this ruling allows us to strengthen our workforce and better protect the residents of Oneida County.”

The National Sheriffs’ Association IGNITE program has taken hold in two Sheriff’s Offices in New York State. The Association’s recent newsletter provided updates on how these two Offices are succeeding with this program.

Chautauqua County



The Sheriff’s Office celebrated the graduation of its first IGNITE U class, where participants completed courses in reading, writing, math, communication and job preparation. The inaugural Introduction to Electrical Training course for women was successful, and the Kitchen Trustee group passed the ServSafe certification test with high marks. Five individuals took their GED tests, and a partnership with the Jamestown Community College expanded training opportunities for local manufacturing jobs.

Ulster County



The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office hosted its second IGNITE graduation ceremony, marking one year since Sheriff Juan Figueroa launched the program at the Ulster County Jail. Sixteen students earned financial literacy certificates, and eight received ServSafe certifications. Eleven graduates were recognized at the ceremony, joined by family, staff and community leaders.

Important Lessons . . . for Life — The promotional notice shown above offers safe driver behavior courses held in late April. It is one of the many resources available from the the Governor's Safety Traffic Committee.

The Safety Programs Group is part of the Governor’s Safety Traffic Committee (GTSC), which is responsible for programs that make New York State roadways safer for everyone. Anthony D'Agostino is NYSSA's Liaison to the Group; which provides safety education and crash management data to Sheriff’s Offices. Programs include STOP-DWI, occupant restraint, safe driver behavior (see program promotion above), traffic enforcement and traffic records management.

Program staff support local government officials, community groups and safety organizations. They also support the creation of highway safety programs and projects, as well as grant development and administration. Grant proposals for FFY 2026 are due by May 1, 2025. For more information, contact Mr. D’Agostino at adagostino@nysheriffs.org.

Two Genesee County Sheriff's Office Divisions are Reaccredited

Civilly Noted – (left to right) Genesee County Sheriff Joseph M. Graff, NYSSA Counsel Thomas Mitchell, Civil Division Principal Financial Clerk Deborah A. Shea and Sergeant Jason E. Saile

Genesee County Sheriff Joseph M. Graff and his staff were honored at a meeting of the Genesee County Legislature for having achieved reaccreditation of the Sheriff’s Civil Office and the County 9-1-1 Emergency Services Dispatch Center.

Tom Mitchell, Counsel for the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, presented the plaques, noting that 31 of the state’s Sheriff’s Offices have achieved accreditation of their Civil Office and 16 Sheriff’s Offices maintain an accredited communications center.

Special recognition was given to Deborah A. Shea, Principal Financial Clerk in the Sheriff’s Office Civil Division, and to Robert H. Tripp, Senior Emergency Services Dispatcher, for their work in guiding the re-accreditation effort in their respective divisions.

A Call to Reaccreditation – Sheriff Graff, Mr. Mitchell, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Senior Dispatcher Robert H. Tripp and Director of Emergency Communications Frank A. Riccobono mark reaccreditation of the 9-1-1 Emergency Services Dispatch Center.

Putnam County Sheriff's Office Receives New Accreditation

Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville (pictured) announced that the Sheriff’s Office has received accreditation from the State Division of Criminal Justice Services Police Training Council for its recently created SWAT team.

Sheriff McConville praised the entire team, highlighting that accreditation not only enhances public confidence but also ensures higher standards in training, cooperation, and operational efficiency. 

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“We are proud of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office for their unwavering dedication to serving their community with excellence,” said the Sheriff.

Civil Supervisors Training Conference | May 21 – 23

Each year, civil supervisors from around the state attend the Civil Supervisors’ Training Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. This training conference focuses on best practices for the service of process of funds handled for the County.

Presentations cover such issues as new technology, case law and statute updates, handling and preserving public records, and working with county and state accounting agencies to make sure that all records are accurately maintained. Click the link above for more information and to register.

PUNK'D: Two Sheriff's Offices Go to the Dogs . . . and Cats

On April 1 (note the date), the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook it was “thrilled to welcome the newest (and furriest) member to our team — Feline Sparky!

“Sparky (pictured) is the first dual-purpose cat in our office, expertly skilled in arson and drug detection. Rescued initially by our office, she spent the last three years in Hungary and Poland undergoing specialized training. While she had a few mishaps along the way (she’s now down to just six lives!), she’s emerged as a true professional.

“Her handler, Deputy Dobrowolski, also completed a rigorous two-year training process along with numerous in-service trainings to prepare for this unique partnership.

“Sparky will be working 45-minute shifts — when she’s not napping, of course — and we know she’ll be a valuable asset to our department.

Please join us in wishing Deputy Sparky good luck as she begins her new role, keeping our community safe!”

AND . . . .

Another Facebook post on April 1 (again . . . that date) — "Due to the rising costs of dog food and other animal care expenses, the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office has made the decision to downsize our K-9 unit. Moving forward, we will only be working with robotic dogs like SPOT (above). We appreciate all that K-9 Pala has done for the unit and recognize Deputy Holden for getting this program off the ground, but it was only a matter of time until the robots took over."

Onondaga and Oswego County Sheriff’s Offices . . . we nearly believed these notices. You had us fooled!