Mayor: 'Critical moment' for Schenectady police Stratton warns cops to clean up their act Thursday, March 5, 2009 By Kathleen Moore (Contact) Gazette Reporter
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SCHENECTADY — The mayor has had enough.
After yet another embarrassment Wednesday, in which a police supervisor had his teeth cleaned while he was supposed to be working, Mayor Brian U. Stratton warned every officer that the Schenectady Police Department’s days may be numbered.
“This is a critical moment for the Schenectady Police Department,” he said at meetings with each patrol shift. “If this department is going to survive, it’s going to take the work of every officer.”
He urged them to work their full shifts without taking unapproved breaks for dentist appointments, bowling tournaments and three-hour visits to private apartments — three of the latest incidents in the long list of police work-ethic failings.
He also urged officers to keep their colleagues on the straight and narrow.
“They need to know we’re at a critical moment. I asked for their help,” Stratton said after meeting with the morning and afternoon shifts at 4 p.m.
“Sooner or later, if these things continue, it’s going to become impossible for them to do their jobs.”
The city could abolish the department and call in state police or contract with the county sheriff’s department, as suggested in a Daily Gazette editorial Wednesday. Stratton said he was moved by the editorial, which he praised.
He said he scheduled the police meetings after reading the editorial and then learning that daytime patrol supervisor Sgt. Eric Clifford had his teeth cleaned while on duty Wednesday. Another dental patient saw Clifford walk in just after 10 a.m. for an appointment and then use his radio to report that he was “on detail.”
The phrase is used to indicate that the officer can’t respond to calls but is working — possibly filing paperwork or going to the bathroom. It cannot be used for personal errands, including dental work, Chief Mark Chaires said.
The dental patient called The Daily Gazette to report the matter. A reporter then observed Clifford, who hurried to his patrol car after his cleaning. Chaires said once Clifford knew he had been observed, he reported his errand to his lieutenant. The lieutenant told Clifford that he would have to give up his lunch hour to make up the time he spent at the dentist, Dr. Kenneth Schwartz.
So do we think that Stratton has the 'you know what's' to abolish the SPD? If he does, than I would suggest contracting the city out to the State Police. Get rid of these corrupt local yocals.
However....watch for the word 'consolidation'. The boys in blue from the small towns may just end up in the city. Just think of the power it would give the dems. Actually, that may have been their goal all along. The city/county dems will control them ALL if this should ever become an option.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Finally! and this is for all you idiots out there who think you can do whatever you want on the taxpayers dime! Stratton is considering abolishing the police department!
That is, if he has any backbone at all which is questionable.
Finally! The cops will no longer be able to hold the taxpayers in the city hostage. Because there won't be any.
We pay through the nose for all you clowns! Yes! Abolish the police department!
Pat: You are as clueless as Strattttton. Finally- what? Pure political posturing as always. You're going to abolish the police department.............. then what? I mean, it sounds like tough talk from a politician, and you can blame the union all you want for everything that happens but last I checked- the union doesn't do the hiring and isn't responsible for discipline either. Figure out who has been most responsible for hiring and discipline the past 10 years and you will have some clue........
This is Albany - but an example of what SHOULD be happening, IMHO, in Schenectady. Fire their a$$es
Quoted Text
Albany cop fired after allegations of using pot
By CAROL DeMARE, Staff writer Last updated: 1:45 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2009
ALBANY — A city police officer was fired today, and while officials declined to discuss the reasons for the termination, the Times Union reported last year of allegations of marijuana use involving the 12-year veteran of the force.
Thomas Towsley "was officially terminated from the department effective today based on an arbitrator's decision," spokesman Detective James Miller said in a press release.
Details of the arbitrator's ruling and an internal investigation will not be released, Miller said.
Towsley was suspended Feb. 6, 2008, in connection with allegations of pot use, the Times Union reported two days later, quoting departmental sources familiar with the matter.
SEE MORE AND COMMENT AT CRIME CONFIDENTIAL
Today's release said Towsley, who was assigned to Center Station, was suspended by Chief James Tuffey following an investigation by the Office of Professional Standards, the name of the department's internal affairs unit.
"Every officer of the Albany Police Department is expected to act in a professional manner at all times and with integrity, and the overall majority of officers do so," Tuffey said in the statement. "Officers will continue to at all times be held accountable for their actions."
Pat: You are as clueless as Strattttton. Finally- what? Pure political posturing as always. You're going to abolish the police department.............. then what? I mean, it sounds like tough talk from a politician, and you can blame the union all you want for everything that happens but last I checked- the union doesn't do the hiring and isn't responsible for discipline either. Figure out who has been most responsible for hiring and discipline the past 10 years and you will have some clue........
Point taken, so fire all of their a**es! And to your point, the last 10years have been of no resolve. So clearly the leaders can NOT control their own law enforcement. So contract out the state police.
And the union has played a major role in this fiasco. eg: how many hours did hamilton work?
I hope stratton 'grows some' and works out a contract with the state police and abolishes the SPD as it stands right now. And if stratton took that route, I would guarentee he would be re-elected over and over and over just on that decision alone.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
So do we think that Stratton has the 'you know what's' to abolish the SPD? If he does, than I would suggest contracting the city out to the State Police. Get rid of these corrupt local yocals.
However....watch for the word 'consolidation'. The boys in blue from the small towns may just end up in the city. Just think of the power it would give the dems. Actually, that may have been their goal all along. The city/county dems will control them ALL if this should ever become an option.
GANG MENTALITY
Are the city/county Dems Clowns? Yes. HOWEVER.....Lets not be totally absolved of the sins of our fathers, my self rightous bretheren. I don't know but,,,,,how many contracts did the rep. admins of jurzynski, et al,,,,Duci sign with the Police Union? Were those signed after arbitration? I'm told that Hamilton, (whom I have no use for), is allowed to not work even ONE day a year, because that is in the contract. Seems to me the reps AGREED to this contract stipulation on more than one occasion because "THEY SIGNED AND AGREED TO IT!", Seems like he is just going by what was given to him. I have also learned that this is common in alot of contracts.
Get off your soap boxes. Stop the Dem, Rep talk They are all clowns. You are all guilty of the same thing........... Comical
I have no use for the police,,(up until the time I need them..LOL).
Thor is an equal oppurtunity critic. He shines the light of sanity in the darkened room of boobish self grandizing partisinship.... He waits.....................................................................................................................
Are the city/county Dems Clowns? Yes. HOWEVER.....Lets not be totally absolved of the sins of our fathers, my self rightous bretheren. I don't know but,,,,,how many contracts did the rep. admins of jurzynski, et al,,,,Duci sign with the Police Union? Were those signed after arbitration? I'm told that Hamilton, (whom I have no use for), is allowed to not work even ONE day a year, because that is in the contract. Seems to me the reps AGREED to this contract stipulation on more than one occasion because "THEY SIGNED AND AGREED TO IT!", Seems like he is just going by what was given to him. I have also learned that this is common in alot of contracts.
Get off your soap boxes. Stop the Dem, Rep talk They are all clowns. You are all guilty of the same thing........... Comical
I have no use for the police,,(up until the time I need them..LOL).
Thor is an equal oppurtunity critic. He shines the light of sanity in the darkened room of boobish self grandizing partisinship.... He waits.....................................................................................................................
You certainly don't sound like anyone who has no use for the police. I could give two hoots on what the sins of our father's where before. Are you implying that one cop gets his teeth cleaned on our dime because of the sins of our fathers? Another one take drugs because of the sins of our fathers? And of course the list goes on and on! You, Mars, obviously do not believe in personal responsibility. You continue to play the 'blame game' like the rest of society. They taught you well. You should be their spokes person or perhaps their union leader.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
In response to Steven Cook’s Feb. 26 article, “Drago: Sentence deal holds”: Judge Karen Drago again has shown her true colors by sentencing Steven and Michael Torres to a total of six years in state prison, and the reason behind it was that they were both members of weekly drug court. I find that ironic since former Schenectady Police Chief Greg Kaczmarek attended his job daily and was sentenced by her for only two years. When he was police chief, wasn’t he at a higher standard and sworn to uphold the law on a daily basis? The judge was also quoted at [Kaczmarek’s] sentencing as saying, “Being police chief in and of itself does not mean a harsher sentence.” I’m sorry, Judge Drago, it does. You’ve now drawn a line and chosen sides. Criminals on one side, corrupt police on the other. One side gets the full sentence, one gets a slap on the wrist. Fact is, they all should have gotten six years for their involvement at any level.
Pat: You are as clueless as Strattttton. Finally- what? Pure political posturing as always. You're going to abolish the police department.............. then what? I mean, it sounds like tough talk from a politician, and you can blame the union all you want for everything that happens but last I checked- the union doesn't do the hiring and isn't responsible for discipline either. Figure out who has been most responsible for hiring and discipline the past 10 years and you will have some clue........
Lyin' Brian isn't clueless and neither am I. Yes, pure political posturing. And its all bovine scatology.
Abolish the police department and turn the crime fighting over to the State and Sheriff. Hell, with what we pay in taxes just for the cops would more than cover the cost and maybe we'd even be able to get a few streets outside of Stratton's neighborhood fixed.
Abolish that department and Dagostino for Commissioner!!!
Now you are talking.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
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