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AMSTERDAM
Former cop may join new force
Officer in Schenectady brutality scandal tops on list
BY EDWARD MUNGER JR. Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Edward Munger Jr. at 843-2830 or emunger@dailygazette.net.

    A former Schenectady police officer who resigned after a police brutality scandal may get a second chance to remain a crime fi ghter.
    Gregory Hafensteiner rose to the top of the list of seven candidates interviewed for an opening with the Amsterdam Police Department, Amsterdam Police Chief Thomas Brownell confi rmed Tuesday.
    Hafensteiner was among five Schenectady offi cers suspected of using excessive force after a man complained he was roughed up during a December 2007 arrest.
    Hafensteiner resigned from the Schenectady Police Department in May, reportedly before he would be terminated by the city.
    Hafensteiner was 25 when he was sworn in as a Schenectady offi cer in July 2003, and a year later he was honored for his efforts in trying to save a suicidal man who struggled on the edge of a Schenectady bridge before falling to his death.
    In November 2006, Hafensteiner was recognized as one of two offi - cers who responded to a report of a Schenectady woman threatening to shoot somebody — the woman fired twice at him and another officer with a BB gun. She missed.
    Brownell said Hafensteiner made a good impression on a department hiring panel, which includes himself, the deputy chief, the patrol lieutenant and the PBA president.
    There was one opening available and seven candidates attended one-hour interviews on Aug. 17, Brownell said.
    Brownell said it appeared at fi rst that Hafensteiner had “a lot of baggage” but he was open and forthright about the incident in Schenectady and his desire to maintain a law enforcement career.
    “He was very up front, didn’t blame anybody else but himself. He was very, very impressive in the initial interview,” Brownell said.
    Hafensteiner could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
    Brownell said that after the interview panel he phoned his contacts, whom he would not reveal, at the Schenectady Police Department.
    “He got far and away flying colors from everyone,” Brownell said.
    Hafensteiner brought in a copy of the DVD that recorded part of the incident, which resulted in a police brutality claim in Schenectady, Brownell said.
    A squad car camera taped part of the incident that appeared to show Hafensteiner kicking suspect Donald Randolph in the head while he was handcuffed.
    Brownell said all on the interview panel viewed the video and agreed that “this is not something you should crucify the guy [over] for the rest of his life. ......................>>>>..................>>>>.............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00900&AppName=1

Obviously Amsterdam as well as the courts didn't see any big deal here. But in Schenectady our brilliant mayor and chief suspends 5 cops for a year for $500,000 and the courts clear them. Only in Schenectady.