Volume 394                                                                                                                     September 9, 2016
File 25
News of the NYS Sheriffs' Association
Two New York State Counties Win NSA Photo Contest

New York State dominated the recent NSA photo contest, with Jefferson County declared the Overall Winner and Niagara County winning in the K-9 category. 

The Overall Winner was a photo taken by Jefferson County’s Kim Schuldt: “County Fair Patrol.” The photo depicts Deputy Jamie Taylor walking hand-in-hand with his daughter Callie at the 2015 Jefferson County Fair. Callie paid a quick visit to her dad during his tour of duty at the fair. 

The K-9 Category Winner was a photo submitted by Niagara County: "Paying Respects to a Fallen Partner." The photo depicts Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy Craig Beiter with his partner, Canine Taz, at the Niagara County Sheriff's Office K-9 Memorial. Deputy Beiter and Canine Taz are shown paying their respects to Deputy Beiter's previous partner, Canine Rocky, whose end of watch was December 4, 2011 after falling from a rooftop while searching for burglary suspects in the City of Niagara Falls. 

Photo entries were judged based on creativity, quality, and originality. Five finalists in each category, selected by NSA staff, were displayed on the NSA website and at the NSA Annual Conference in June for members to vote on. All winners will appear in the November/December issue of Sheriff & Deputy magazine. Nice showing by New York State!
NSA National Photo Contest Overall Winner: "County Fair Patrol" (2015) T aken by: Kim Schuldt, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
NSA National Photo Contest K-9 Category Winner: "Paying Respects to a Fallen Partner.  Taken by: Niagara County (NY) Sheriff's Office
Saratoga County Sheriff Mike Zurlo Hosts 82nd Annual Summer Conference
Photo (l to r): Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha, NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, NYSSA President and Herkimer County Sheriff Chris Farber.

The Summer Training Conference for Sheriffs was a great success thanks to our hosts, Saratoga County Sheriff Mike Zurlo and his wife Jane, and to all the Sheriffs from around the state who participated.  

NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli addressed the group, saying: “Lately, we've seen all too clearly the daily risks taken, and the sacrifices made, by members of law enforcement. I am honored to be able to personally thank you and the women and men of your offices for doing their jobs day in and day out with commitment and courage." 

A joint press conference between NYSSA and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids provided great exposure to many Sheriffs advocating for funding in next year’s state budget for programs that send trained professionals into at-risk homes, including Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith, who was presented with the Fight Crime: Invest in Kids program’s annual Champion for Children Award. 

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple discussed The IROC Program—Inmates Rebuilding Our Communities. And Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Director of Emergency Communications Steve Gordon gave a presentation on Saratoga’s experience building out a multi-county, multi-

agency PSAP, highlighting advantages, issues, and considerations for the benefit of agencies contemplating similar projects.

The National Sheriffs' Association was well represented, with NSA Vice President Sheriff John Layton, NSA Director of Government Affairs, Breanna Bock-Nielson and NSA Counsel Richard Weintraub, Esq. participating.  

New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Steve Acquario addressed the group. Updates from state agencies included: DCJS Executive Deputy Commissioner Michael Green; NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner John Melville and Office of Counter Terrorism Director Michael Cerretto,Governor’s Deputy Secretary for Public Safety, Rachel Small, NYS Commission of Correction Chairman Thomas Beilein, and Commissioner, Thomas Loughren

As always, those Sheriffs unable to attend were missed. The exchange of ideas and experiences among Sheriffs is the main benefit of our conferences.  When any Sheriff does not attend it is a loss for all.  We hope to see you ALL next year!!
New York's Sheriff In the News...
Syracuse NBC affiliate WSTM profiled Operation SAFE CHILD at the Great New York State Fair where New York's Sheriffs once again hosted a booth to provide Operation SAFE CHILD cards. Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputy Katie Kruger was interviewed for the piece; click the photo above to view it; it is a great profile of a great program!

A recent interview with Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts by The Times of Wayne County highlighted Sheriff Virts' approach to avoiding mistrust towards law enforcement in his community through community outreach. Click here to read the full article.
Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts Earns Re-Accreditation

Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts was recognized before the County Board of Supervisors in June along with members of his staff for their efforts in earning re-accreditation of the Corrections Division. Executive Director Peter Kehoe praised: Undersheriff Jeff Fosdick, Lieutenant David Ambeau, RN Bernice Miller, Sergeant Richard Morrison, Sergeant James Miller, Sergeant Andrew Steel, Correction Officer Armand Miale, and Correction Officer Phil Bustos for "devoting a great deal of X extra time and effort to the many administrative and operational details required to successfully document and demonstrate that the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is most deserving of this recognition." Sheriff Virts' office also holds accreditations of the court security, civil, and law enforcement divisions from NYSSA and the NYS LEAC. Congratulations! 
 
Front row (L to R):  Sergeants Richard Morrison, Lieutenant David Ambeau, Undersheriff Jeff Fosdick, Sheriff Barry Virts, NYSSA Director Peter Kehoe.  Second row (L to R):  Sergeant Andrew Steel, Sergeant James Miller, Correction Officer Armand Miale, Philip Bustos
Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike Elected to
NSA Executive Committee

Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike, a member of the National Sheriffs Association (NSA) board of directors, was elected to the # member Executive Committee of the NSA on June 29 by the full board. The NSA annual conference was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota and attended by New York Sheriffs Gary Maha, Barry Virts, James Voutour, Vincent DeMarco, Donald Smith and Ron Spike. Sheriff Greg Champagne of St. Charles parish Louisiana was elected President of the NSA for 2016-17. 

National Commission on Correction Health Care Training

Washington County Sheriff Jeff Murphy and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association recently hosted a training session for jail administrators, jail nurses and other jail health care staff. The training was conducted by representatives of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. NCCHC is a nationwide agency that sets standards for health services in correctional facilities, conducts a health care accreditation program for jails and prisons, and provides training on all issues regarding correctional medical care.  Students at the full-day session reviewed the medical accreditation standards for jails, and also discussed some recent medical issues facing jails in all parts of the country.

This is the third such program presented in New York State by NCCHC and sponsored by the Sheriffs’ Association.  About 30 students from several counties, including NYC counties, attended the session.
Photo: National Commission on Correctional Health Care (HCCHC) training in progress at the Washington County Sheriffs' Office.
Traffic Safety
2016 New York Highway Safety Annual Fall Symposium
New York’s premier highway safety training Symposium will take place October 16 – 19, 2016 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lake Placid, NY.  Registration and lodging information with the preliminary agenda is available on the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) website at  www.itsmr.org. 
Practical Guidelines for Motorcycle Enforcement” Training Classes – September 15 & 16, 2016 in Onondaga & Broome Counties
GTSC will be hosting its free Practical Guidelines for Motorcycle Enforcement training classes on Thursday, September 15 th  at the Brewerton Fire Department in Brewerton, NY, and on Friday, September 16 th  at the Broome County Law Enforcement Training Academy in Binghamton, NY. Anyone interested in attending the training who hasn’t had access to the distributed announcements can email Liaison Nick Macherone at  dominick.macherone@dmv.ny.gov  and one will be forwarded to you or your agency.
Save the Date
The NYS Sheriffs' Association's 83rd Annual Winter Training Conference will take place January 23 - 26, 2017 at The Desmond in Albany, NY. Save the date! More details to follow!  
 
Sheriffs' Week will be celebrated September 18 - 24, 2016. 
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