Sheriffs Make Note of Women's History Month |
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March is Women’s History Month and Sheriff’s Offices statewide are recognizing the women in law enforcement who have faithfully served their counties and communities in a number of important capacities. Below are some stories from the distaff side: |
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NSA Profiles Jefferson County Sheriff Coleen O'Neill |
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“DYK: There are currently less than 60 women sheriffs in the country.” [representing approximately 2% of all sheriffs nationally] “We'll be highlighting them throughout March. Today, our spotlight is on @JeffCoSheriffNY’s Sheriff Colleen O'Neill, the first elected female sheriff in the state of New York.”
— NSA Tweet, March 3, 2021
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Ulster County Jail's New Superintendent is First Women to Hold Post |
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For the first time in Ulster County history, a woman has been named Superintendent of Corrections. Col. Evelyn P. Mallard was sworn in March 1 by Sheriff Juan Figueroa.
Former Superintendent Col. Jerome John, the first African American to oversee the county jail, retired February 26 after nearly two years of service to the county and more than 30 years in law enforcement.
Colonel Mallard has more than 33 years of law-enforcement experience — 30 years with the state police and three years with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. During her career, Mallard attained the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain and major, and she retired in 2016 as director of training at the State Police Academy. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the DCJS Law Enforcement Executive Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. Thomas Aquinas College, a master’s in public administration from Marist College and is an adjunct professor of criminal justice at SUNY Rockland.
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A First for Ulster County — New Ulster County Jail Superintendent Col. Evelyn P. Mallard (left) is congratulated by Sheriff Juan Figueroa at the County Law Enforcement Center in Kingston, NY.
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It's Women's History Month! Celebrating all of the amazing women who work hard every day to keep Suffolk County safe.
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Dynamic Duo #1 — Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne and Undersheriff Jenn Olin.
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When then-candidate Derek Osborne was running for Tompkins County Sheriff in 2018, he announced that, if elected, his Undersheriff would be Jenn Olin, at the time a lieutenant with the SUNY Cortland Police Department. Osborne was elected Sheriff and Jenn thus became the first female Undersheriff in Tompkins County history.
In an interview prior to the election, Olin said she accepted Osborne’s offer through a desire to improve the dynamic between community and law enforcement.
“I feel like I can make an impact with my law enforcement experience, my education, but also my personal experiences, I just think I could be a good catalyst to create a better relationship between the community and the department,” Olin said. “I want people in the community to have experiences with our law enforcement like that, something they didn’t expect, but they walk away with a positive experience and it just sticks with them.”
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Sheriffs Serve on Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking |
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The Acting US Attorney for the Northern District of NY has launched a law enforcement task force to combat human trafficking.
Sheriff’s Offices of the Counties of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Ulster are among the initial members of the Task Force, which will serve the 32-county Northern District.
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Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick Russo (above) said, “I applaud the U.S. Attorney’s Office for taking this initiative and we will assist in any way we are able.”
Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa (left) added, “I want to express my appreciation to the US Attorney's Office for recognizing the need for a Human Trafficking Task Force. We realize there is a need to combat this issue not only in Ulster County, but throughout New York State. Human trafficking involves our immigrant communities who are vulnerable to the illegal sex trade and unfair labor practices. The Ulster County Sheriff's Office is PROUD to have a member participate in a collaborative effort to help combat human trafficking."
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Therapy Dog Is in Session During Third Period |
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Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb recently announced the addition a new canine to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office.
Therapy dog Silas, a 14-month old Labrador retriever, is on assignment with his partner, School Resource Officer / Deputy Kale Luce (pictured). They are currently working in the Randolph Central School District.
The Sheriff’s Office noted, “The goal for Deputy Luce and Silas is to build positive interactions with students and staff. Silas can be utilized to reduce anxiety during stressful events, de-escalate tense situations and open up avenues for communication with persons in crisis.”
Deputy Luce and Silas are the only multi-discipline therapy dog team in Cattaraugus County, and there are only six similar teams in New York State where a school resource officer is partnered with a therapy dog.
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Dynamic Duo #2 – Kale Luce and Silas on the job
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Veteran Member of Wayne County Sheriff Staff Promoted to Chief Deputy |
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Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts announced the promotion of Robert Milby (pictured) to Chief Deputy. Milby has held several positions in his nearly 26 years with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, including Deputy Sheriff, Field Training Officer, Deputy Sheriff Sergeant, Road Patrol Lieutenant and Criminal Investigations Lieutenant.
Chief Deputy Milby’s administrative duties will include supervision and oversight of the Civil Office, Correction Division, Records Office and Pistol Permit Unit.
“I have served the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Wayne County to the best of my abilities for the last 25-plus years, and will continue that service in my new position,” said Milby. “We have an excellent public safety organization that operates with integrity, pride and professionalism.”
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NYSSA President Murphy Appointed to Advisory Board of IJIS Institute |
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NYSSA President Jeff Murphy (pictured) was recently appointed to the advisory board of the Integrated Justice Information Systems (IJIS) Institute, a nonprofit alliance working to promote and enable technology in the public sector and expand the use of information to maximize safety, efficiency, and productivity.
The Institute was founded in 2001 to advance the U.S. Department of Justice’s interest in raising private-sector participation in national initiatives affecting justice, public safety and homeland security.
“This is a great opportunity to share the insights I’ve gained as Sheriff and from my time as President of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association,” noted Sheriff Murphy. “I look forward to learning how law-enforcement agencies can effectively partner with other groups to advance public safety.”
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Sheriffs Reappointed to Statewide Committee for the Elderly |
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NYSSA President Jeff Murphy has reappointed Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Russo (right) and Seneca County Sheriff Tim Luce (left) as NYSSA representatives to the New York State Committee for the Coordination of Police Services to the Elderly.
The Committee, working with DCJS, is charged with developing and supporting training that improves law enforcement response to elder abuse while raising awareness, among committee members and their constituents, of the resources available to elderly individuals.
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Niagara County Sheriff's Office Criminal Division is Reaccredited |
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Earlier this month, the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Council voted unanimously to approve the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office application for reaccreditation. The Sheriff’s Office has been an accredited law enforcement agency since 2001, and also continues to maintain accreditation of the Corrections, Communications and Civil Divisions, and of its Forensic Laboratory.
Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti (left) and Captain Robert M. Richards, Accreditation Program manager for the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, show off the Reaccreditation Certificate.
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NYSSA Virtual Civil School — Phase 2 |
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The New York State Sheriffs’ Association will host Phase 2 of its Virtual Civil School April 12 to April 15. As on-site meetings remain restricted due to the Pandemic and because many counties do not have available funding to attend in person, the School will be held online, similar to the Phase 1 portion of the Civil School presented last October.
As costs to run the School are minimized due to the virtual format (i.e., no expenses incurred for instructor travel and lodging, coffee and donuts for attendees . . . a huge expense), Phase 2 will be provided without charge to any county. To date more than 100 people have registered for Phase 2. Attendees can sign up now using the link below.
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New York State Sheriffs' Association | 518-434-9091 | www.nysheriffs.org |
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