Reaccreditation by Sheriffs' Offices Continues |
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Despite the additional challenges heaped upon Sheriffs' Offices due to the pandemic, Sheriffs and their dedicated staff throughout the State continued to serve the public under difficult circumstances, while still maintaining the high standards and best practices for which they have become known. Below is a review of recent reaccreditation ceremonies for Sheriffs’ Offices statewide, recognizing the hard work done by those agencies to maintain professional excellence within their divisions, despite the difficulties imposed by COVID, in order to continue serving the public well. |
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A Proud but Somber Moment — (l to r) Yates County Legislature Chairman Douglas Paddock; NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Esq.; Sheriff Ron Spike; Chief Dispatcher Sandy Smith (who passed away recently) and County Administrator Noni Flynn
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Sheriff Ron Spike was honored at the August meeting of the Yates County Legislature on the occasion of reaccreditation of the Sheriff’s Public Safety Answering Point, which has maintained accreditation since 2006. Sheriff Spike and the Yates County Sheriff’s Office also maintain accreditation in Law Enforcement, Corrections, Civil operations and Court Security. |
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Also honored before the Legislature that day, for her diligent efforts in maintaining such high standards in the communications division, and again earning reaccreditation, was Chief Dispatcher Sandra Smith. Sadly, Sandra passed away recently from respiratory failure due to COVID-19 complications. Sandra joined the Sheriff’s Office as a fire dispatcher in 1989, when only 20 years old, and worked her way up to the position of Chief Dispatcher in 2002, where she continued to serve until the time of her death.
In 2014 she received the Communications Officer of the Year Award from the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute. Sandra was well known in communications circles across the state, for she was a very active and dedicated assessor for the NYS Sheriffs’ Association’s PSAP Accreditation Program. In announcing her passing, Sheriff Spike said, “She was a huge part of the Yates County Sheriff’s Office family and will be greatly mourned and missed by staff and friends.”
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Onondaga County Corrections |
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Sheriff Gene Conway (center), flanked by Jail Administrator Esteban Gonzalez (left) and Undersheriff Jason Cassilia (right), announced that the Onondaga County jail has received re-accreditation from the American Correctional Association.
The jail, named the Patrick J. Corbett Justice Center, after a former Onondaga County Sheriff, received its reaccreditation in August in Nashville Tennessee, at the ACA Summer Congress of Corrections. The Justice Center opened in 1995 and also maintains accreditation from the New York State Sheriff’s Association and the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare.
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Broome County Law Enforcement |
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Sheriff David Harder (second from right) and Captain Kathleen Newcomb (center) hold certificates recognizing reaccreditation of the Broome County Sheriff's Office by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, for continuing to meet the 110 standards set forth by the NYS Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council. Also, on hand at the event were (l to r) DCJS Deputy Commissioner Mike Wood, Broome County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Kevin Mauser and Richard Wells, President, Police Conference of New York, far right. “Thank you to all of our members who continue to do an amazing job serving residents of this county,” noted Sheriff Harder, during the ceremony in Albany.
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Seneca County Civil Division, Corrections, Court Security |
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Triple Play I — NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Esq. (left) was on hand to present plaques to the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office for reaccreditation of its Civil, Corrections and Court Security divisions. Seneca County Sheriff Tim Luce (second from left), with staff members (left to right) Undersheriff John Cleere and Sergeant Dave Smith each hold plaques noting the three reaccreditations.
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Seneca County Sheriff Tim Luce and his staff were honored in September before the Seneca County Board of Supervisors for earning re-accreditation of three divisions of the Sheriff’s Office: Civil, Corrections and Court Security. The Sheriff’s Office also maintains accreditation of the Law Enforcement Division from the New York State Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council.
Recognized for their efforts in bringing about the successful reaccreditations were Deputy James Picchi, who was the Accreditation Manager for all three accreditations; Sgt. James Smith of the Civil Division; Sgt. Elizabeth Cook of the Corrections Division; and Sgt. Timothy O’Neill and Sgt. Luke Laskoski of the Court Security Division.
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Warren County Correctional Facility |
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All In for Reaccreditation – Members of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office staff display certificates for their work to earn reaccreditation of the Correctional Facility. (l to r): Lieutenant Wayne Farmer; Captain Albert Mayday; Sheriff Jim LaFarr; NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Esq.; Sergeant Matthew Hubbard and Officer Jeremy Coons.
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The Warren County Sheriff’s Office was recently recognized by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association for the successful reaccreditation of the Correctional Facility.
Presently only 32 New York jails have earned accredited status, and the Warren County Correctional Facility has been accredited since 1994. The Sheriff’s Office also maintains accreditation of the Civil Office, the Communications Center, and the Law Enforcement Division.
Sheriff’s staff members commended by Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe for their work in bringing about the jail reaccreditation were Captain Albert Mayday, Lieutenant Wayne Farmer, Lieutenant Daniel Clifford, Sgt. Mathew Hubbard, and Corrections Officer Jeremy Coons.
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Warren County Civil Office |
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For Civil Office Service — Warren County Civil Office staff were honored this month for their successful reaccreditation effort by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association. (l to r) Senior Account Clerk Glenda Benware; Civil / Patrol Officer John Howse; NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Esq.; Undersheriff Terry Comeau; Senior Account Clerk Kim Gryga; Civil Office Supervisor Sgt. Bill Girard; and Civil Officer Michael Nissen.
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On November 3, Warren County Undersheriff Terry Comeau stood in for Sheriff LaFarr, who was unfortunately under the weather, as the entire staff of the Sheriff’s Civil Office received plaques and certificates attesting to their successful efforts to earn reaccreditation of the Civil Office.
In congratulating the staff, NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe observed that the members of the Civil Office join the members of the Jail Division, the Communications Division and the Law Enforcement Division in upholding the highest standards of professionalism, as evidenced by the accredited status of each of those divisions of the Sheriff’s Office.
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A Solid Lineup — (l to r) Senior Dispatcher Mathew Swierczek; Director of Communications Marc Kasprzak; Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti; NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Esq.; Niagara County Undersheriff Michael Dunn; and Chief Jail Administrator Daniel Greenwald
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Sheriff Mike Filicetti and the Niagara County Communications Center received a Certificate of Reaccreditation from the New York State Sheriff’s Association at the September meeting of the Niagara County Legislature. NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe observed that only 14 PSAPs in the state have earned accreditation, so obviously this is not an easy task. “We are proud of the men and women of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch for meeting and often exceeding a demanding set of standards that few 9-1-1 centers have achieved,” said Sheriff Fillicetti. Sheriff Filicetti and his staff also maintain accreditation of the Niagara County Jail, the Civil Division and the Law Enforcement Division. |
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Chautauqua County Civil, Corrections, PSAP |
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Triple Play II – The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office received reaccreditation of its Civil, Corrections and PSAP divisions. Sheriff James Quattrone and members of his staff proudly display the plaques and certificate presented to them by NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Esq. at a meeting of the County Legislature. (l to r) Lt. Doug Mulson (Corrections); Undersheriff Richard Telford, NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Esq.; Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone and Sgt. William Genthner (Corrections – Training Director)
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Steuben County Court Security |
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Honored for their service — Members of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Court Security detail were on hand for the reaccreditation ceremony at the September meeting of the Steuben County Legislature. (From l to r) Court Security Officers Anne Brois and Christopher Alger; NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Esq.; Deputy Alan Warriner; Sheriff James Allard; Sergeant Vincent Fanzo; Court Security Officer Roy Willette and Correction Officer Roderick Ford. (Photo: Mary Perham)
Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard was recognized in September by the County Legislature on the occasion of reaccreditation of the Sheriff’s Court Security operations. Sheriff Allard commended his entire Court Security team for their professionalism and for their efforts in demonstrating to the independent assessors that the Sheriff’s Court Security Division was once again most deserving of reaccreditation. Sergeant Vincent Fanzo was thanked by NYSSA Executive Director Kehoe, for his diligence in managing the reaccreditation process for the agency. Sheriff Allard ‘s Office also maintains accreditation of the Jail Division and the Civil Division.
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Columbia County Civil Division |
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Notable Recognition — (l – r) Michelle Donnelly, Columbia County Sheriff’s Civil Clerk; NYSSA Executive Director Peter R. Kehoe, Esq.; Sheriff David P. Bartlett; Civil Clerk Debra Lombardo; and First Sergeant Ian Boehme, Civil Division Supervisor, gathered to mark the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office reaccreditation of its Civil Division.
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The Columbia County Sheriff’s Civil Division was honored last month before a virtual meeting of the Columbia County Board for successful reaccreditation of the Civil Office. Sheriff David P. Bartlett expressed his thanks to the New York State Sheriff's Association’s Assessment Team, which verified the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Civil Division was in full compliance with all 121 civil accreditation standards.
“I am extremely proud to have four divisions of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office accredited by outside accrediting agencies,” said Sheriff Bartlett. “As a former accreditation manager, I understand what is entailed in maintaining best practices, efficiency and professionalism, for not only a division, but the entire Sheriff’s Office. The excellent work that the civil staff does every day allowed this assessment to flow easily,” stated Sheriff Bartlett.
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