New Sheriff, Undersheriff Hit the Ground Running |
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An Historic Moment –
Former Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero (center) is sworn in as Acting Sheriff through 2022 by Ontario County Clerk Matthew Hoose (left). Povero’s wife Cynthia (right) assists during the ceremony.
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Former Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero has returned to serve as the County’s Chief Law-Enforcement Officer after former Sheriff Kevin Henderson and Undersheriff Dave Frasca resigned from their posts earlier this fall. Last month, Ontario County Judge Brian Dennis appointed Povero as Interim Sheriff to serve through Dec. 31, 2022 or until the Governor makes an appointment. Sheriff Povero previously served as Sheriff for 28 years – the longest-serving Sheriff in the County – and was with the Sheriff’s Office for 47 years when he retired in 2018.
“We appreciate Sheriff Povero’s willingness to come back from retirement to help Ontario County guide the Sheriff’s Office through this transition period until the next elected Sheriff takes office in January of 2023," said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Marren.
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From the resignations and until Povero’s swearing in, Chief Deputy Sheriff John Falbo (pictured) oversaw the Sheriff’s Office, doing triple duty with the responsibilities of Acting Sheriff and Undersheriff, as well as continuing his role as Chief Deputy. Povero recognized Falbo’s work and commitment to the Office by appointing Falbo Undersheriff on November 19.
“Undersheriff Falbo led the Office of the Sheriff following the resignations of the previous Sheriff and Undersheriff,” Povero noted in a prepared statement. “His passion for effective public safety is his motivation.”
“I am greatly appreciative of the Sheriff in recognizing my dedication to public safety and to this Office, not only over the past couple of months, but for my entire career here,” said the new Undersheriff.
Undersheriff Falbo is a combat veteran of the U.S. Army, serving 2001 through 2009, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He joined the Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff in 2006 and has served as criminal investigator, lieutenant and Chief Deputy.
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Schuyler County Sheriff-Elect Announces Undersheriff Appointment |
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A New Team in Schuyler County – Sheriff-Elect Kevin Rumsey (right) will appoint Deputy Sheriff Andrew Zeigler as Undersheriff for the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, effective January 2022.
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Schuyler County Sheriff-Elect Kevin Rumsey announced he will appoint Deputy Andrew Zeigler as Undersheriff in January.
“I believe that Deputy Zeigler has the experience, knowledge, and complete ability to excel in the role of Undersheriff. Additionally, I feel confident that he will be more than capable of running the office in my absence if the need arises,” Sheriff-Elect Rumsey said during the announcement.
Deputy Zeigler is a 28-year veteran of the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and has worked in several roles. In 1993, he started his service with the County Jail. Five years later, he became a Deputy Sheriff assigned to road patrol, where he has served for 23 years. Deputy Zeigler joined the K-9 ranks in 2001 and is currently working with his fifth canine partner.
“I look forward to serving all of the residents and the visitors who come to our County, as I have done for more than 20 years,” Deputy Zeigler said.
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Ulster County Sheriff Receives Award |
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New York State Minorities in Criminal Justice, Inc., an organization dedicated to improvements in the criminal justice system for minorities, presented the Harry Corbitt award to Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa (pictured) in a recent ceremony.
The award was given in recognition of the Sheriff’s 28 years of dedicated service to the citizens of New York State, “having demonstrated extraordinary achievements in law enforcement as Sheriff of Ulster County and as a Trooper with the New York State Police.”
Figueroa was also recognized for his four years of active US Marine Corp duty and 18 years in the Reserves in defense of the country.
“Your sense of service to people in the community, state, and country in enforcement of the law with fairness, compassion, and a respectful manner meets the highest standards of professionalism,” the award read.
The sheriff was commended for his “unwavering sense of duty and commitment which you display to earn the New York State Minorities in Criminal Justice’s distinguished award.”
The Harry Corbitt Award is named after the former New York State Police Superintendent who served with integrity and devotion for more than 27 years.
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Niagara County Sheriff Appointed to Accreditation Council |
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Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti (pictured) has been appointed to the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Council by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The appointment is for a two-year term.
Filicetti has been involved with accreditation at the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office for many years and has served as the office's accreditation program manager. The Sheriff’s Office has been an accredited agency since 2001.
“I am honored to accept this appointment and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to shape the best practices in law enforcement for the future," said Sheriff Filicetti in response to his appointment.
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Niagara County Sheriff's Office Recognized for Youth Outreach |
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The Building Bridges Program sponsored by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office was selected recently as the 2021 Axon RISE Community Award Winner.
“The program was chosen from over 150 nominees, with nearly 17,000 community votes cast during a two-week voting period,” noted Sheriff Michael Filicetti. “A panel of judges then designated the Building Bridges Program as the winner. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office will receive a $7,500 grant to be put towards our foundation in support of the program. We greatly appreciate the support from our community.”
Begun after civil unrest broke out across the country following the May 2020 death of George Floyd, the program helps foster relationships between children from the City of Niagara Falls and law enforcement in social settings, rather than through formal police-related instruction.
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Remembering Former Allegany County Undersheriff William Timberlake |
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Earlier this year, William (Bill) John Timberlake, Sr. passed away peacefully at the age of 79.
Bill started his law-enforcement career with the New York City Police Department and moved to Allegany County shortly before he retired from the Department. He spent several years in service as a police officer for the Alfred and Belmont Police Departments, then joined the Allegany County Sheriff’s office where he became Undersheriff, a post he held until his retirement in 2002.
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Chemung County — Civil Division |
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The Chemung County Sheriff's Office received its Civil Division reaccreditation plaque in November from the New York State Sheriff's Association. Shown above (l – r) are Sgt. Charles Kennedy, Ms. Diane Brown, Sheriff William Schrom and Sgt. Jeremiah Ayers.
“Civil is one of three of the Divisions of the Sheriff's Office that have been accredited / reaccredited since 2006,” noted Sheriff William Schrom. “We are proud of this recognition as it shows our commitment to adhering to a higher standard set forth above and beyond what is required.”
Along with the Civil Division, the Office’s Road Patrol and Corrections Divisions are also accredited.
“I want to thank Retired Lt. Scott Wheeler, Sgt. Charles Kennedy, Sgt. Jeremiah Ayers, and Ms. Diane Brown for their hard work and dedication within the Civil Division to maintain this elite status,” observed Sheriff Schrom. “A job well done by all!”
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Madison County — Civil Division |
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On November 18, Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood (pictured, at left) and his Office was presented with a plaque of recognition for the accreditation of the Civil Division by Sheriff’s Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe.
Out of 58 Sheriff’s Office Civil Divisions in New York State, Madison County is one of 26 to receive this recognition.
“Congratulations to the dedicated and hardworking staff of the Madison County Sheriff's Office Civil Division,” said Sheriff Hood. “This is a huge honor.”
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Law Enforcement, Medical Professions Unite to Fight Opioid Abuse |
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Standing Together – (back row, l – r) Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Columbia County Sheriff Dave Bartlett and Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo flank Dr. Michael Dailey, Chief of Prehospital and Operational Medicine at Albany Medical Center during a press conference earlier this fall outside NYSSA Offices in Albany to announce their “Leave Behind” campaign.
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Sheriff’s Offices throughout the Albany Capital District will begin distributing leave-behind Naloxone kits after responding to non-fatal overdose cases in the communities they serve.
The Leave-Behind Naloxone Program for Overdose Treatment – used by regional EMS departments – has been extended, allowing Leave-Behind Naloxone kits to be distributed by first responders from the Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington County Sheriff’s Offices.
Through this program, first responders from those Sheriff’s Offices will leave behind a Naloxone overdose treatment kit for the patients, friends or family members after responding to an individual experiencing an opioid-related overdose. The kit will include a card with community resources available that can offer support to patient and family.
“Often times, law enforcement is the first on-scene when a call comes in about an overdose,” said Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett, President of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association. “We play a critical role in the response to overdoses in our community, and this program will help us save lives.”
“The use of Leave-Behind Naloxone kits has a positive impact on the number of fatal overdose cases,” said Dr. Michael Dailey, Chief of Prehospital and Operational Medicine at Albany Medical Center, who serves as regional EMS Medical Director. “Distribution of these kits to families in crisis by Sheriff’s Office personnel will serve as a critical entry point to begin the conversation with patients and families about access to care, treatment and recovery.”
This program is a collaboration between the New York State Sheriffs’ Association and the Regional Emergency Medical Organization (REMO). Dr. Dailey has agreed to work with NYSSA to replicate the program in other areas of the State.
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NSA Call for Nominations – 2022 Awards |
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The National Sheriffs’ Association has issued the annual Call for Nominations for its 2022 Awards.
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Professional Development Calendar |
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NYSSA Winter Training Conference — January 17 – 20, 2022 |
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Registration is now open for the 2022 Sheriffs’ Winter Training Conference at the newly renovated Crown Plaza Albany - Desmond Hotel.
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NSA Winter Conference — February 5 – 8, 2022 |
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At the NSA Winter Conference, network and learn alongside other Sheriffs and law-enforcement professionals, as well as high-level leadership from Federal agencies and members of Congress, who all come together to explore current legislation and learn about relevant topics. Also explore trending technologies and products in the exhibit hall, featuring more than 100 manufacturers and suppliers for the law-enforcement profession.
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C-PASS School Safety Conference — February 21 – 23, 2022 |
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The Committee on Policing and Safeguarding Schools invites School Resource Officers and School Resource Deputies to its first-ever three-day conference on school safety. The conference will provide a lineup of presenters with a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
• Lessons Learned from Columbine
• LGBTQIA and Sensitivity
• Officer Wellness
• Active Shooter Response and Analysis
• Social Media
• Survival Mindset
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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department flew into action to assist in an unusual emergency case when an injured owl in need of aid practically came knocking on the station door.
“Instead of calling 911, she came to the office directly,” said Sheriff Jeff Smith.
A passerby alerted Sheriff’s officials to an owl on the side of the road near the station. Sgt. Thomas Flickinger quickly located the bird outside, apparently suffering from an injured wing.
Sgt. Flickinger moved the owl to safety in a cardboard box filled with straw and tried to make it as comfortable as possible while contacting a local wildlife rescue organization for additional support.
The Sergeant has been serving the communities throughout Montgomery County for nearly two decades. This was not his first bird rescue.
“Birds can’t call us like people can,” he said. “When we can help them, that’s something special.”
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