Q: How often are the required training (outlined in the PowerPoint) for the CCSD, for example, Bias Awareness Training or Reality Based Training?
A: Mandatory training is normally conducted annually. Other training topics are offered as they become available from NYS or DCJS.

Q: Is there even room in the CCSD budget for more training if necessary?
A: The training budget has not seen an increase in 3 years and members are often restricted to trainings that are offered at no cost to the county. We find training opportunities offered through our insurance carriers, DCJS, Lexipol, NYSSA and other free training centers for police.

Q: Are deputies on salaries where they may be able to complete virtual trainings on their own time much like teachers have to? Teachers are required to complete and report a certain amount of hours of professional development each year. I am wondering if the same is true for law enforcement?
A: Due to contractual mandates members cannot be mandated to attend trainings on “their own time”. Some trainings are offered via web links or portals which allow members to attend the training when their schedules permit. Several CCSO members have attended additional enrichment trainings on their own time, at their own expense.

Q. How would members of the public know what the policies of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and the local Police Departments are to comment on them? Is there any provision for doing this, or will the agencies themselves review their policies in light of public concerns?
A. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office website maintains a link that allows the public to have full access to our policy regarding "Use of Force". As an accredited agency, the Sheriff's Office meets (or exceeds) all standards, including the posting of applicable policies on our agency website. Links to the Sheriff's Office website, the Use of Force Policy and MPTC Model Policy are also posted on the Sheriff's Office page on this website.

Sheriff Bartlett had the policies and procedures reviewed and updated when he took office in January of 2014. The policies were again extensively reviewed in 2018 when the office transitioned to software that would allow for all policies to be cloud based through PowerDMS. The Sheriff's Office policies are routinely updated according to best practices set forth by the Bureau of Municipal Police Training Council (BMPTC) and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Our agency accreditation status ensures that our policies are up to date and proofs are submitted to demonstrate our office is in compliance. The Sheriff's Office has routinely reviewed applicable policies to ensure they are prudent and follow the Mission Statement of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office cannot respond on behalf of other Law Enforcement Agencies.

Q. What is the breakdown among the community member panelists by Town- how many from each Town?
A. Answer can be found on the List of Panel Members page on this website

Q. Are all members residents of Columbia County?
A. Yes

Q. How many applications were received in total?
A. Sixty seven Letters of interest were received

Q. Are there informal quotas in effect for summonses, tickets or arrests?
A. No

Q. What are the needs of the community?
A. This will be part of the fact finding mission of the three Community Input panel discussions and the Elected Officials/Law Enforcement panel

Q. Who are the panel members representing constituents of the Greenport, Stockport and Philmont police departments?
A. This information is available on the List of Panel Members page on this website

Q. Will the current police force policies and procedures — of the Sheriff and 3 police departments — including deployment strategies and practices be available for review to the panel members?
A. The USE of FORCE policy can be found on this website. Information regarding other county police agencies will be added as they are made available.

Q. What input will the public have in this process?
A. The public can send in questions and comments at any time. 32 panelists from the community at large will be offering input during three separate sessions

Q. Will there be a procedure to solicit public input and testimony beyond that offered by panel members? (Otherwise input regarding police-community relations may be only anecdotal/third-party.)
A. The public is invited to share/submit information via email. There will be a public hearing scheduled once the panel and review processes are complete

Q. Who selected the panel members?
A. The Chairman of the Board of Supervisors appointed the members to the panels

Q. What are the police departments’ policies on use of force?
A. The policy is posted on the Sheriff's page on this website.

Q. Who is taking meeting minutes?
A. Jesse DeGroodt and Shari Franks

Q. How will the 5 minute statements by each panel member be used?
A. Panelists can use their five minutes however they would like to: Ask questions, give opinions, etc.

Q. Will there be any discussion among the panel members after the 5 minute statements?
A. Discussion will take place after panelists have made their presentations. There is time set aside for discussion and Q & A.

Q.Is there a clear policy for police forces about dealing with armed groups? Does the policy address officers belonging to and supporting local armed groups in any way? What policies are in place to ensure that police officers are appearing and acting neutral, non partisan and treating all community groups and members equally? In some places in the US police have worn logos of local armed, right wing militias and demonstrated clear support for armed groups showing up to harass and intimidate protesters.
Likewise, Many police officers in other places have also been documented as having expressed racist language online.
This should never happen in Columbia County. Does the County have a core set of principles and standards of behavior that makes it clear what is unacceptable, even when officers are not working because of the nature of the job as a front-line public servant entrusted to protect and serve all equally? Are officers held to those standards?
A. The Sheriff’s Office has clear and well defined policies dealing with Use of Force, Uniforms and Appearance, as well as a Code of Conduct - for both the on and off duty actions of all employees. There is also more information regarding policies and procedures posted on the Police Reform Panel website on the FAQ's page.

Q.I know these are difficult times financially and in general; what has been done in terms of recruitment for minorities and women in the sheriff’s department?
A. We have maintained employment information and the links to the Columbia County Civil Service Commission on our website. See http://www.columbiacountysheriff.us/employment. The Sheriff's Office has also announced Civil Service tests for positions in the Sheriff's Office on our social media outlets. We also send members of the Sheriff's Office to community events such as job fairs, career days at schools and public events such as the county fair to try and promote employment opportunities at the Sheriff's Office. We have worked with Operation Unite to try and promote the Sheriff's Office to minority groups. The Sheriff's Office also works with several academic institutions to allow for internships at the Sheriff's Office. These internships afford students the opportunity to view the various positions and areas of employment in the Sheriff's Office.