NYSSA Leaders Meet with New York State Senate Leader |
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Strengthening Partnerships — New York State Sheriffs’ Association President and Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple (right), along with NYSSA Third Vice President and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa (left) met with Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, to promote the Sheriffs’ legislative program that includes enhancing Civil Service requirements to broaden applicant pools, enacting a statewide 20-year retirement program for Jail Corrections Officers and providing exemptions for Sheriffs and Undersheriffs from MPTC training and certification.
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Remembrance and Honor during Police Week 2023 |
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May is when law enforcement personnel are recognized for their service and valor – especially remembering those who gave their lives in the line of service. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul proclaimed May 9 as Police Memorial Day with a ceremony that honored 55 more police officers who lost their lives protecting the public.
At the event, New York State Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe (above center) met New York State Attorney General Letitia James (left) and New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (right). Attorney General James made a point of telling Mr. Kehoe that she successfully allocated ten million dollars in the coming fiscal year to the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services for services and expenses of local and state law enforcement associated with enforcing and investigating extreme risk protection orders.
Plans for distributing the funds are being developed. Association staff will contact DCJS to make sure that as much of this funding as possible is directed to Sheriffs’ Offices.
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Cayuga County Sheriff's Office Arms Deputies with Mental Health Resources |
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Undersheriff Stuart Peenstra |
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When Cayuga County Sheriff’s Deputies respond to a mental health crisis, they now have an innovative way to facilitate a secure video conference with a licensed clinician, depending on the situation.
The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office became the first law enforcement agency in New York State where Road Patrol Deputies can access remotely mental health services for individuals in crisis. The program aims to provide essential resources to those experiencing a mental health crisis, while significantly reducing law enforcement transports to hospitals.
The Cayuga County Mobile Crisis Team and transportation to hospitals remain available options as well. Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck expressed gratitude to community partners and commended Undersheriff Peenstra for leading this project.
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Big Budget Boost for Monroe County Sheriff's Road Patrol Staff |
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All Out for Increased Patrols — Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter (far left) at a press conference announcing an increase to the Sheriff’s Office budget for more personnel.
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Monroe County will increase funding for the Sheriff’s Office by $7 million, adding 40 new positions for Deputies and other roles, and creating an inter-agency operations center to tackle crime.
The investment will help correct staff shortages, providing officers with backup in times of need and allow for increased patrolling. Presently, some Deputies are forced to cover more than 30 square miles on their own.
“One Deputy patrolling 30 square miles at 3 o’clock in the morning is a pretty vulnerable thing,” Sheriff Baxter said. “Sometimes backup is miles and miles away and if the closest backup is involved in another incident, sometimes your backup could be 20 minutes away. That’s not safe for the officers. That’s not safe for the citizens.”
County Executive Adam Bello and Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter made the announcement earlier this month, calling it the largest number of positions added to the Road Patrol Division in decades. The county is also adding an investigator position, which will focus solely on crimes committed by children.
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Monroe County Sheriff Raises Funds Jumping Down a Building |
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Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter (pictured) recently rappelled down one of Rochester's tallest buildings for charity.
Sheriff Baxter participated in this year's 21 Stories for Scouts event. The annual fundraiser gives the public a chance to rappel down Kodak Tower and raise money for Scouting programs in underserved communities.
Prior to the event, Sheriff Baxter said "It's the right thing to be doing. . . . It's going to be fun, it's going to be a good fundraiser, but also it's a good thing to be doing, seeing that we're all one community, we're all supporting each other and giving opportunities to people who might not have that opportunity."
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Monroe Sheriff's Office Keeps PARticipants Safe at PGA Event
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Elsewhere in Monroe County . . .
The Sheriff’s Office was the lead law enforcement agency providing safety and security at the prestigious PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club Golf Course in Rochester, NY, which ended May 21.
Pictured in the foreground, right, Deputy Brendan Hurley, Public Information Officer for the Sheriff’s Office, was one of many personnel on duty throughout the event.
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Wayne County Undersheriff is a 2023 Woman of Distinction |
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A Distinctive Leader — Wayne County Undersheriff Tammy Ryndock (pictured left) is presented with the New York State Senate’s 2023 Woman of Distinction Award from Senator Pam Helming, 54th Senate District.
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Each year state senators honor a woman from their districts who has made outstanding contributions to their community.
“Undersheriff Ryndock’s commitment to serving others is evident in everything she does, through her work with the Sheriff’s Office and her work in the community,” Senator Helming stated. “She leads by example, dedicating herself fully to her job and admirably, to protecting the most vulnerable, including child victims. She is a respected mentor to her colleagues and a leader in every regard.”
“I was honored to be among so many of New York State’s most gallant and intelligent women,” said Undersheriff Ryndock. “This will be an experience I will cherish always.”
Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby noted that Undersheriff Ryndock was the only law enforcement officer in the state recognized with the award this year.
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New Wheels for the Ulster County Sheriff's Office |
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The Ulster County Legislature voted to purchase a Bearcat G3 armored vehicle (pictured) for the Sheriff’s Office, citing the need to keep law enforcement officers safe while protecting its citizens.
“With the heightened prevalence of gun violence today, we have to remain prepared and protected with tools such as this,” said Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, noting the vehicle’s utility for off-road and rural missions.
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Ulster County Sheriff Maintains Strong Connections with DEA |
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Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa was in Arlington, VA recently as an invited guest to the First Annual Law Enforcement Partnership Summit, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“DEA is extremely grateful for the support from our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners,” noted the DEA in a statement. “And we understand that these partnerships are a force multiplier in our efforts to combat the current drug threats that are devastating our communities.”
Sheriff Figueroa (pictured right) is shown at DEA offices speaking with Jared Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division.
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BLS Service in Play at Montgomery County Sheriff's Office |
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Packed and Prepared — Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy and New York State-certified EMT Jake Champain (above) readies his patrol vehicle with EMS supplies before heading out on his shift.
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The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office launched a new program aimed at providing Basic Life Support (BLS) Rapid Response vehicles to assist local ambulance providers in the event of a delayed response, unavailability of ambulance services or a serious incident. The pilot program is designed to provide additional support to the strained EMS services in the County, alleviating longer wait times for those in need of assistance.
Four Sheriff’s Deputies in the Office are certified New York State EMTs and will provide these services when not involved in law enforcement activities, which remains their top priority.
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K-9 Teams at Yates County Sheriff's Office Benefit from Donation |
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Bow WOW — Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike (left) accepts a donation from Mark Cronin (second from left) and is joined by members of the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit (l - r), Deputies Brandon Jensen and Chad Betts and Sgt. Seth Skelly.
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The Yates County Sheriff’s Office received a generous gift from former owners of the Showboat Motel on Seneca Lake, which for years has been “home base” for K-9 teams and trainers during the Annual Yates County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Seminar.
Mark Cronin and Matt Collins donated $5,280.00 to the Yates County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. The donation will be used in support of training, equipment and operations for the handlers and their K-9 partners.
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Sheriffs on the Run . . . and on the Move |
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You Gotta Love It — Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino (left) and Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo (right) were busy on Mother’s Day at the 11th annual Mother-Lovin’ 5K Run/Walk in the Saratoga Spa State Park.
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All in a Day’s Work —Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick A. Russo (pictured at right) had a chance to greet his colleague, Jefferson County Sheriff Peter J. Barnett, at the Rensselaer County Public Safety Building in Troy. Sheriff Barnett was there with his staff to pick up incarcerated individuals for transport back to Watertown, NY.
From the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page: “The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office is proud of its continued cooperation with other law enforcement agencies. Sheriff Pat Russo is always willing to lend a helping hand to his counterparts locally and across the state.”
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Schenectady County Sheriff's Corrections Division is Reaccredited |
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Done . . . and Done Well — The Schenectady County Sheriff's Office Corrections Division was reaccredited this month after meeting a stringent set of standards and best practices. Only 31 of the State's 62 counties have qualified for corrections accreditation.
Pictured above, front row (l - r), are NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Jail Superintendent Ronald Walsh, Schenectady County Sheriff Dominic D'Agostino and Undersheriff Jim Barrett. They are joined by other members of the Corrections Division.
The following personnel were also recognized for their assistance with the reaccreditation process: Deputy Superintendent Jack Purdy, Captain Gregory Cufari, Captain Joshua Guerin, Sergeant Cristina Barrett, Officer Michael DiGioacchino and Officer Jason Jendzeizyk.
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NY Sheriff Killed in Line of Duty Honored During Police Week |
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In observance of the National Police Week Memorial, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office remembers Fred A. Bigalow, Niagara County Sheriff from 1936 to 1944.
Per the citation, “Sheriff Bigalow was a popular and highly respected law enforcement leader throughout the entire state. He is the only Sheriff in New York history to die as a result of adversarial action. On June 18, 1944, Sheriff Bigalow was responding to a call from a woman who had been threatened by her intoxicated husband. The man was waiting in ambush and fatally shot Sheriff Bigalow.”
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Spring is here, and so are a number of conferences and training programs full of information and best practices to help you move ahead, do your best and stay safe. Click the links below for program, lodging and registration information. |
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Each June, civil supervisors from around the state attend the Civil Supervisors’ Training Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. This conference will feature presentations on new technology, case law and statute updates, handling and preserving public records, and working with county and state accounting agencies to make sure all records are accurately maintained.
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Also every June, Undersheriffs are encouraged to attend the Undersheriffs’ Training Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY, which will provide training in labor management, employee discipline, and management of employee benefits, which impact all Divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. Sessions will include presentations from state and federal agency representatives who provide or administer programs in these areas.
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The NSA 2023 Annual Conference will be held in Grand Rapids, MI, and include numerous seminars and workshops covering all aspects of the duties and responsibilities for Sheriff’s Offices: law enforcement, jail operations, service of process, transportation of prisoners, and court / judicial security.
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The New York State Sheriffs' Association Annual Summer Training Conference will take place at the Seasons on Keuka Lake / Hampton Inn, Penn Yan, NY, from July 17 to July 20, with the Exhibitor Trade show on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 18 and 19. Programs will address current issues impacting law enforcement, corrections, court security and civil matters, with emphasis on analysis of new laws passed in the previous legislative session. Sheriffs also meet informally with one another and with the speakers to delve deeper into the issues presented. |
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The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page shared a post courtesy of the Town of Ramapo Police Department:
“Horse parked on grass . . . . I know there’s a section of the NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law for this . . . .”
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