Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Opens Corrections Intelligence Center |
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Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. (pictured), recently announced the official launch of its “Corrections Intelligence Center” (CIC). The CIC is the first-of-its-kind jail intelligence network that shares data, trends, best practices and potential threats across jails and prisons.
The CIC is fully staffed with specially trained Corrections Intelligence Officers from participating agencies – including the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office – and includes remote participation from 20 additional counties in the region via bi-weekly roundtables. Stakeholders receive immediate alerts to potential threats and trends.
“Corrections intelligence is underutilized and is a valuable tool in keeping the public and law enforcement officers safe. We are doing what has never been done before -- proactively collecting and disseminating trends about contraband, drugs, gang affiliations and potential threats through this network of jail and prison systems,” said Sheriff Toulon.
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Sheriff Giardino at National Meeting on Recruitment & Retention |
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Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino (pictured), an active Board Member in the Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association, was invited to participate with a select group of executives from across the country in Washington, D.C. last month to address staff recruitment and retention issues.
Hosted by offices of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), the meeting was billed as the U.S. Department of Justice Law-Enforcement-Led Recruitment and Retention Convening. It focused on identifying short-term responses and long-term strategies for law enforcement agencies and their efforts to recruit and retain qualified professionals.
Sheriff Giardino was the only Sheriff invited from New York State. He arrived with several ideas, including COPS funding to achieve pay parity for officers in small and rural agencies that are often underfunded. Staff recruitment and retention is an issue Sheriff Giardino has been working on for a long time; he welcomes ideas from other Sheriffs in New York State. Thank you for your support of New York law enforcement, Sheriff.
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Sheriff Spike at Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Program |
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Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike (pictured) also took to the road, traveling to Nashville, TN for an all-day session of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries’ (ISRI) Law Enforcement Advisory Council, where he represented the National Sheriffs’ Association. He appeared on a video interview for ISRI about NSA’s efforts to assist Sheriffs with law enforcement crime prevention and investigations, especially regarding catalytic converter thefts, and law enforcement relationships with the scrap recycling industry.
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Putnam County Sheriff's Office Makes History Come Alive |
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On This Site — Posing by the Putman County Sheriff’s Office Community Work Program truck are (l – r) Putnam County Sheriff’s Capt. James Greenough, Lt. Michael Villani, Lt. Anthony Taylor, Corrections Officer Matt Amato, County Historian Jenn Cassidy, County Executive Kevin Byrne and Sheriff Kevin McConville.
(Photo provided)
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A number of roadside markers designating historic sites and events throughout Putnam County were reinstalled after having been restored by individuals involved with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division Community Work Program. The marker restoration project, led by Corrections Officer Matt Amato and County Historian Jennifer Cassidy, is an ongoing effort to restore curb appeal and provide incarcerated individuals with a sense of purpose in contributing to the beautification of the County.
The Community Work Program’s marker restoration initiative was originally overseen by Corrections Officer James “Jimmy” See. After Officer See’s death, the program was on hiatus until Corrections Officer Matt Amato proposed a relaunch of the project.
“The commitment and dedication by Corrections Officer Amato and all the officers that continue to assist in the work being done by our Community Work Program should be lauded,” said Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville. “This is exactly the kind of work our Corrections Division should be engaging in when given the opportunity.”
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Essex County Sheriff's Office Welcomes its First K-9 Teams |
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The Essex County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page notes the recent graduation of two canine teams, the first ever for the Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Stonitsch with K-9 Dacks (left photo) and Deputy Champine with K-9 Marcy. “They have successfully completed over 200 hours of training together and have been National Certified. Congratulations, the easy part is done. Now the work begins.” |
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Ulster County Sheriff's Office Recognized for Partnership Work |
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U.R.G.E.N.T. Recognition — Sheriff Juan Figueroa and members of the Ulster County Sheriff's Office were invited last month to the annual luncheon of the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The Sheriff's Office was recognized with a special service award for its collaborative work in partnering with the State Attorney General's Office Organized Crime Task Force, the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT), the New York State Police SIU and the Dutchess County Drug Task Force. Together, they conducted an 11-month-long narcotics investigation dubbed "GTL," which concluded last June with the largest ever bust in the Hudson Valley of a multi-million dollar drug network. Pictured (l – r) are Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant Joe Stock, New York State Police SIU Major Miklos Szoczei, SIU Zone 1 Commander Lieutenant Mike Rhodes, Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa and County Sheriff’s Office URGENT Task force Commander Chief Jarrid Blades.
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Hamilton County Undersheriff Celebrates Life |
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For the Life of Him — Hamilton County Undersheriff Kevin Braunius (center) poses with (l – r) Hamilton County Clerk Jane Zarecki, Deputy County Clerk Heather Farber, and DMV clerks Betsy Early and Amy Vanderwerker. The Hamilton County Clerk's office held a flag raising ceremony last month to commemorate April as Donate Life Month and to honor and celebrate Undersheriff Kevin Braunius, who is an organ donation recipient. The national average of registered organ donors is 63%. However, only 46% of adults age 18+ are registered donors in New York State. Hamilton County beats the national average with 69% registered organ donors, “. . . but we would love to see that number even higher!” noted the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
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Former Cortland County Sheriff Lee Price |
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“With great sadness and heavy hearts . . . the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office lost one of its own,” the Office noted on its Facebook page about the passing of former Sheriff Lee “Arnie” Price.
His career at the Sheriff’s Office began in August 1968. Rising through the ranks, he became a Sergeant in 1973, Road Patrol Lieutenant in 1978, and Undersheriff for then-Sheriff Duane Whiteman in February 1987. He was elected Sheriff in January 2000 and served four terms before retiring in December 2015. In total, Sheriff Price proudly served Cortland County for 47 years with the Sheriff’s Office.
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Every Rockland County Sheriff's Office Division is Reaccredited |
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For Hard Work, Done Well — Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder (left) presents the Distinguished Service Award to Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco III, noting New York State's reaccreditation of its four divisions in the Rockland County Sheriff's Office. (Photo provided by the Rockland County Legislature.)
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The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office was recently recognized by the Rockland County Legislature for its dedication to professionalism, evidenced by the reaccreditation of all four of its divisions: Police, Civil Enforcement, Communications and Corrections.
“It’s an impressive achievement,” noted Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder, “Because of the 62 counties in the state of New York, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is one of only four counties that have all divisions within their departments accredited.”
In addition to the reaccreditation of each division, the Corrections Division’s Medical Care Services again has earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.
“This recognition is truly a testament to the hard work, dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Falco said. “These accreditations are arduous undertakings done by individual divisions and individual members of the divisions that were assigned to achieve this goal and meet the standards.”
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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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The New York State Sheriffs’ Associations Committee on Policing and Safeguarding Schools, in partnership with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, announces a “Basic school for the SRO” course to be held at the Steuben County Sheriff's Office. This course will equip an officer with the necessary knowledge on how to navigate the difficult task of policing in a school setting.
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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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Scenes from the 16th Annual VINE Conference |
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The 16th Annual Statewide Conference on Victim Notification was held in Albany late last month.
Hosted by the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute, the conference takes place each year during National Crime Victims' Rights Week and invites all victim advocates and law enforcement officials to participate. This year’s theme: “Survivor Voices: Elevate, Engage, Effect Change.” The guest speaker was award-winning activist Ashley Bendiksen, a noted advocate for change in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and response, as well as mental health. Below are some scenes from the conference.
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Karen Adams (left) and Cassie Drochelman speak on “Transforming Secondary Trauma: Providing Support When Empathy Runs Out.” |
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John Watson (right), General Counsel for the New York State Office of Victim Services, presented an overview of his agency and how it supports crime victims. |
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Albany County Sheriff and NYSSA President Craig Apple provides opening remarks at the conference.
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Keynote speaker Ms. Bendiksen |
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Cookie Champion of Herkimer County — Fae is shown here donating Girl Scout cookies to Herkimer County Correctional Facility employees. From left to right, Herkimer County Undersheriff Scott Leskovar, Fae, Lieutenant Brian Harrod, and Sergeant Kyle VonKrusze.
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Fae is a first-year member of the local Girl Scout Troop from Newport. She has sold over 900 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, earning three pins and five patches. With extra boxes to donate, Fae selected the Correctional Officers at the Herkimer County Correctional Facility, in honor of her ‘Papa Adam,’ who works at the Washington Correctional Facility in Comstock, NY. She plans to donate additional boxes to a local fire department and will continue to sell boxes locally to earn additional patches. Thank you, Fae, for your generous gift to the hardworking Corrections Staff of Herkimer County! |
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A Parting Gift for a Departing Undersheriff — As reported in the last edition of File 25, retiring Saratoga County Undersheriff Rick Castle had his walkout ceremony on April 21. Along with the numerous awards presented that day, Executive Director Peter Kehoe (left) gave Undersheriff Castle a citation from the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, recognizing the Undersheriff’s 34 years of service to Saratoga County, his countless contributions to the Sheriffs’ Association and to Sheriffs throughout the State. Undersheriff Castle was always willing to provide support and share his expertise working on various projects. Happy Trails!
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