Now just look at the above 2 articles. A shooting one day and a murder the next. What the heck is Stratton and the rest of these so called leaders waiting for?
I think that it is high time that these so called leaders put a stop to funding these welfare, government subsidized, non profit organizations and get the scum out of here!! Lock the doors to the DSS building! And if they must, by mandate, offer these services...then damn it, raise the bar! And I am dead serious!
And they wonder why the cops can't keep up and do their job. The great so called leaders of the great city of Schenectady, coupled with the also great leaders of the county legislature, just keep funding these programs that bring in the scum of the earth AND then expect law enforcement to keep them under control. OBSURD!
They all need to get their heads out of the metroplex/state street/proctors A** and begin to clean up a wonderful city that they are totally destroying at it's very core!
They have single handedly put every resident and business owner's safety at risk and they should be held responsible. And it should start at the top....Stratton, Savage and Gillen!!!!!
And sorry to say that their crap and scum are overflowing into the surrounding counties! > > >
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
Man files notice of claim against Schenectady cops Donald Randolph alleges he was beaten by five officers after being stopped at fast-food outlet
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer Last updated: 5:41 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, 2008
SCHENECTADY -- Donald Randolph is following up excessive force allegations against five suspended city cops with plans to sue the city and the police department for violating his civil rights after his arrest on charges of drunken driving.
The notice of claim, filed Tuesday by Randolph's attorney, names officers Daryl Mallard, Gregory Hafensteiner, Kevin Derkowski, Andrew Karaskiewicz and Eric Reyell as defendants. A department probe into the alleged behavior of the lawmen during the early morning hours of Dec. 7 resulted in them being placed on paid leave and then what is now an ongoing probe by state Attorney General's probe into possible criminal wrongdoing. A spokesman for the AG's office declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. The notice of claim is usually a precursor to a lawsuit. The claim contends the officers used excessive force during the initial encounter with the Pattersonville man at the McDonald's restaurant at 1673 Union Street. The court paper also refers to other unspecified ``incidents'' in or about the police vehicle as well as at police headquarters on Liberty Street. Authorities say Karaskiewicz stopped his cruiser near the intersection of Union and McClellan streets to transfer Randolph to the department prisoner transport wagon. That, according to the document, is where the four other officers in two patrol cars met up with Karaskiewicz. Reyell and Derkowski were in one vehicle and Hafensteiner was riding solo. Mallard was behind the wheel of the transport van. The civil action seeks ``substantial monetary damage(s).'' Randolph's attorney George E. LaMarche III said the firm will ``continue our investigation to discover what actually transpired during the course of the night.'' LaMarache is with E. Stewart Jones' law practice. The five officers remain on paid suspension, said city police spokesman Lt. Brian Kilcullen. Schenectady Corporation Counsel L. John Van Norden said Wednesday the city will now began to look into the matter but in all likelihood will not be able to interview the officers because of the superseding AG's investigation. ``We certainly do not want to be in a position to compromise any ongoing investigation by a law enforcement agency,'' he said, adding he anticipates either the Police Benevolent Association attorney or AG's office to ask him to suspend his probe. Randolph, 37, is slated to return to Schenectady City Court March 14 with his attorney to answer to charges of felony driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and second-degree harassment. Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.
Carl Strock THE VIEW FROM HERE Cop job, no. Military, yes. What’s up? Carl Strock can be reached at 395-3085 or by e-mail at carlstrock@dailygazette.com.
Here we have a case of a Schenectady police officer who is too gravely injured or disabled to do his police job and has been out of work collecting full pay for almost 10 months now, but who nevertheless is able to perform military duty with the National Guard — six weeks’ worth last summer, another few weeks just recently. He is Patrick Horan, and please don’t ask me what the nature of his injury or disability is, as that information is confidential and I am not privy to it. I don’t even know if it’s a physical injury or one of those emotional afflictions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. We do know it’s not an ordinary sickness, because he’s out on what’s known in the public-employment field as “207-c,” referring to a section of law that provides for officers who suffer on-the-job injuries. So it’s something attributable to his work. There was nothing in the news last year about him being shot or being in a car accident, and a spokesman for the Police Department, Lt. Brian Killcullen, says, no, “He’s not out with something you saw in the paper.” Whatever it is, its being serious enough to keep him out of police work but minor enough to allow him to do military work, is what puzzles me. Of course I tried to get in touch with him to ask him about this, but I had no luck. I do note that six years ago, after he witnessed a fellow offi cer commit suicide, he took three months off for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, so there is some history here. And in case you’re wondering, yes, this is the same Officer Horan who was prepared to testify for the government against fellow cops who were accused and ultimately convicted of drug-dealing, though he spoke up too late to actually make it to the witness stand. That was immediately following the suicide. A spokesman for the Air National Guard at Stratton Air Base in Scotia cannot tell me if there is provision for guardsmen to do light duty if they are injured or incapacitated when they get called up. “Every situation is different,” Lt. Col. Kim Terpening said. “It would depend on what their job is in the military.” No municipality is happy about having police officers out of work on 207-c or fi refighters out on the equivalent 207-a, since they spend money on them and get nothing in return — $53,000 a year in Horan’s case — and Schenectady is no different. The city’s head lawyer, John Van Norden, says, “We want the maximum person-power we can get.” He says he would prefer to have Horan retire on a disability pension, though, when asked if the city has taken steps to achieve that, allows, “I don’t believe we have, yet.” Ordinarily trying to transfer someone from 207-c to a disability pension is an adversarial proceeding. An officer naturally prefers to stay on the local rolls, where he gets full pay. The municipal employer prefers to get him into the state retirement system, where, however, his disability pension will be less than his pay was. Anyway, here we are. Horan’s last day of work was May 18, 2007. Since then his time cards show he has taken one comp day, 19 vacation days, either 42 or 52 militaryleave days (the records are overwritten) and all the rest in sick time, while continuing to draw his weekly paycheck of $1,019.20. I, meanwhile, continue to lobby for a 207-j law, to cover traumatized journalists, but so far without success.
SCHENECTADY Nine test for police chief position Scandal-plagued dept. needs leader BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
Nine candidates will take tests today hoping to be the next person to lead a police department that in recent years has been plagued by scandal. The candidates for Schenectady police chief will pick up special pens and paper today as they take the eight-hour-long civil service exam. Eight of the candidates will take the test at Schenectady County Community College, the ninth will take it in Dutchess County, Schenectady County Personnel Administrator Kathleen Heap said. A 10th candidate, one based in Suffolk County, had been approved to take the exam but backed out. That leaves the department’s three current assistant chiefs, Mark Chaires, Michael Seber and Jack Falvo, taking a promotional exam, and six outside candidates. Heap has said she could not release the identities of any of the candidates, citing civil service rules. A total of 15 applications were received for the open exam. The city department has been without a chief since October. That’s when Michael N. Geraci Sr. left to take a job with the federal government. The department has been run by Commissioner Wayne Bennett and the assistant chiefs since. The applicants are vying to help run a department that still has five officers suspended with pay while an alleged December beating of a suspect is investigated. A detective was also sent to prison last year after admitting to taking drug evidence. Those are the most recent incidents in a decade of upheaval that has seen five other officers jailed and others disciplined for misconduct. The new chief will be the third within the decade. The tests are expected to take two months to score, with a new chief appointment not expected until summer. Heap described the chief’s exam as a complicated one. Candidates have eight hours in which to complete it. Sections include administration, administrative supervision and knowledge of the law. There is also a written job simulation exercise, covering topics from human resources management to public relations to police procedure. “It asks them to make decisions on situations based on their first decision,” Heap said. “Then they have options for a second decision.” Asked if the section was similar to the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, Heap agreed. Only, in this version, they can’t go back. No erasers are available. The applicants will use a special “latent ink developer” pen on that section, preventing them from changing an answer. “Once they make a decision, that decision can’t be changed,” Heap said. The city exam follows chief exams given in 2007 for Glenville, 2006 for Niskayuna and 2001 for Rotterdam. It coincides with the civil service parking meter attendant exam; 19 candidates are taking that exam Both exams will be given in the same room. Unlike the chief’s exam, erasers will be available for those taking the parking meter attendant test. Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or scook@dailygazette.net.
Officers are off the beat, on the payroll Five Schenectady cops have received about $48,000 since being suspended in December
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer . First published: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
SCHENECTADY -- Five Schenectady police officers have collected nearly $48,000 in salary since being suspended in December for allegedly beating a Patersonville man, according to city payroll records. Officers Daryl Mallard, Gregory Hafensteiner, Eric Reyell and Andrew Karaskiewicz have each been paid $1,019.20 per week from Jan. 10 to March 6, according to records obtained through the state's Freedom of Information Law. Officer Kevin Derkowski, the least senior member of the five, has been getting a $784.93 paycheck every week. He has been with the department since January 2006.
The others have at least 4 years of experience. The salary figures are the latest available. The department suspended the five officers for allegedly abusing Donald Randolph, 37, on Dec. 7 in the parking lot of a Union Street fast food restaurant and again when they stopped to place him in a transport van that took him to the city lockup at police headquarters. Karaskiewicz and Reyell were placed on paid leave Dec. 26, and Derkowski, Hafensteiner and Mallard were suspended three days later. A Schenectady County Sheriff's Department report said the left side of Randolph's face and head were swollen and he had a bruised right wrist. Schenectady Police Benevolent Association President Lt. Robert Hamilton said police officials erred by suspending the officers without first talking with them about the Dec. 7 encounter with Randolph, who accused the officers of beating him. "The officers are all eager to get back to work and more importantly to face any accusations made by a career criminal," he said. "You have officers being paid and not performing the service. They want to be back to work, and the department has never asked what their involvement was." City Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett, however, said the criminal charges against the officers must first be resolved before an internal investigation into any wrongdoing can be continued. The state Attorney General's office is presently looking into the incident to see if criminal charges are warranted. Randolph is charged with felony driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and second-degree harassment, a violation. He is free on bail and is slated to return to City Court Friday. Last week, Randolph filed a notice of claim that he plans to sue the city and the police department. Mayor Brian U. Stratton on Monday called it "unfortunate" that city taxpayers have to pay the officers' salary plus any overtime costs to an already short staffed 164-member department. He said, however, "that's the price we have to pay to reform the department." Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.
I really hope there's an explanation forthcoming soon about Officer Patrick Horan - and his military service while on medical leave from March 6. There's got to be a followup to that story, this is exactly the kind of bullcrap Schenectady has dealt with for too long. Either he comes back to work, or cut his pay, NOW.
I can't believe I just read a Strock "story" and agreed with him. Someone shoot me, fast.
Mayor Brian U. Stratton on Monday called it "unfortunate" that city taxpayers have to pay the officers' salary plus any overtime costs to an already short staffed 164-member department.
Well Mr. Stratton, perhaps if you did something to clean up your city neighborhoods and get your head out of the 2 blocks of State Street's a**, crime and the police department wouldn't be such an issue. Mr. Stratton, I believe it is also your responsibility and JOB to keep it's residents safe and keep the crap from entering your city. Just drive around Schenectady....it is an open invitation to every scum bag out there. And you offer every government tax paid program to entice them even further! Close the DSS doors! It is disgusting!!
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
Police seek man in sexual assault Tuesday, March 11, 2008 By Steven Cook (Contact) Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY — City police this afternoon were looking for a suspect in a noontime downtown sexual assault, police said. Police received a call around 12:15 p.m. from a woman reporting an assault in the parking garage off Chapel Street, police spokesman Lt. Brian Kilcullen said. She told police she was approached by a man, they exchanged words and she was attacked, Kilcullen said. The man was described as white, in his 30s, wearing a tan jacket and green hat. He was last seen on foot going west on State Street from Lafayette Street. The report sent officers and detectives to the scene and around downtown. Evidence technicians could be seen on Chapel Street early this afternoon. Kilcullen noted police were still early in the investigation, but he said they don’t believe they don’t believe the attack was the work of any kind of serial rapist.
By JIMMY VIELKIND, Staff writer Last updated: 11:36 a.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2008
SCHENECTADY - Police today are searching for a man who stabbed someone in the neck Monday afternoon in Yates Village.
Spokesman Lt. Brian Kilcullen said police responded to the B-court of the housing complex around 12:15 p.m. to investigate a report that someone had been stabbed. The victim, whose identity was not immediately clear, was taken to Ellis Hospital by private means. Kilcullen said the alleged assailant fled in a black SUV. He was described as a 23-year-old black man, about 6-foot-3 wearing a gray hoodie. Anyone with information is asked to call Schenectady police at 382-5200.
SCHENECTADY Officer at bowling alley while on duty Cop had radio but was out of patrol area BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Schenectady police officer Thomas Disbrow got paid Saturday to watch his son bowl. For two hours, the officer’s patrol car sat parked on Mohawk Avenue in Scotia, across from the Rolling Greens Bowling Center. Inside, the uniformed officer spent the morning cheering on his 12-year-old son, who has bowled every Saturday since September in the Junior Program. A reporter watched for an hour Saturday as Disbrow jumped up and down, boasting about his son and keeping a close eye on scores. “Did you see that? Did you see that?” he said excitedly as his son pulled into the lead. Disbrow clutched his police radio in one hand throughout the event, and said afterward that he was prepared to leave at any time if he got a call. He was roughly four minutes and 1.5 miles away from the city line. But the dispatchers didn’t radio him, so he was able to see his son win with a spare on his fi nal frame. He was not aware that a reporter was observing him, but he made no attempt to hide the fact that he was on duty, and when confronted he showed no embarrassment. “I’m just across the bridge. I’ve got my radio, I’m ready to listen,” he said Saturday. This week, he did not respond to a request for a further interview. OFFICIALS REACT Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett and Mayor Brian U. Stratton reacted with resignation to the news. “No, that’s not acceptable,” Stratton said with a heavy sigh. “We expect him to be on duty patrolling the streets, not parked somewhere listening to his radio.” He added that apparently the police need to be “reminded” of the expectations for patrol. “You’re expected to be on patrol looking for things, not waiting for a call to come in,” Stratton said. “It’s a further embarrassment to us if it’s true.” Bennett said Internal Affairs will investigate Disbrow. “I’m sure he was doing a great job deterring crime at the bowling alley. Unfortunately he wasn’t being paid to deter crime in Scotia,” Bennett said. “We’re looking for him to make his presence known in the city of Schenectady, where the people, frankly, are paying his salary.” He said officers cannot leave their assigned patrols for personal business, even if they bring their radios along. “That may be his impression, but it’s not an acceptable interpretation,” Bennett said. “You can justify almost anything you want, but we make the rules here. The bottom line is this: For patrol officers, the posts are within city limits.” Bennett also questioned Disbrow’s belief that he could quickly get back to Schenectady if he was needed. “What happens if there’s a car accident on the bridge?” Bennett said. He added that Disbrow could have gotten permission to watch his son compete. “That’s what personal time is for,” he said. But if he was going to work, Bennett said, Disbrow should have used his time between calls to meet with residents on his beat, check on trouble spots and investigate minor complaints — the basics of community policing. Union President Robert Hamilton, who did not return calls, has said police are desperate to fi nd time for community policing, but are so busy going from call to call that they have no time for such tasks. He has used that argument to call for increased staffing in the department, while Stratton has said the department needs to get a full year’s work out of every officer it already has. Bennett said Disbrow’s behavior does not rise to the level of termination. He declined to say what punishment would be suitable, saying it would depend on Disbrow’s disciplinary history. DISCIPLINE ISSUES Bennett has vowed to improve discipline in the department. In his first year, he saw an offi cer go to prison for smoking cocaine stolen from the evidence locker before Bennett’s hiring. He recently suspended five others while the state attorney general investigates an allegation of excessive force. Disbrow was hired on Feb. 10, 1994. In 2006, the last year for which data was available, he worked 214 days and took 10 sick days, according to Gazette calculations. At the time, he was working as a school resource officer, making him one of only fi ve patrol officers who had every weekend off during the school year. The other officers rotate weekend duty. Disbrow joined that rotation when Bennett canceled the SRO program last June, citing a need to have more officers on the street. The weekend duty didn’t stop Disbrow from watching his son bowl. Rolling Greens employees said Disbrow is at the alley, in uniform, nearly every Saturday. When he gets a call, he leaves and comes back, they said. He was an attentive father last Saturday, offering encouragement to his son between frames and closely following the action. When the boy missed a strike, Disbrow hugged him and tried to buck him up. “You still won. That’s all that matters,” he said. Last Saturday, the boy fi nished early, and the family left at 10:53 a.m. Disbrow did not drive his son home; a woman who appeared to be his mother provided transportation. Then Disbrow drove back to Schenectady in patrol car 15, a traffic division car equipped with the city’s license plate readers. The automated cameras have brought the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue by catching scofflaws, suspended registrations and stolen vehicles. But they only work when the officer is in the car, listening to the alerts from the system. Disbrow graduated from Hudson High School in 1983. He was a military police officer in the Army from October 1983 to October 1986. He then worked as a corrections officer at the Albany County Jail for six years before being hired by the city. He’s also a strong bowler. In 1998, he took the bronze medal for bowling in the New York Law
We need to give him a raise, a better pension, and better health care, not. No matter how good the police seem to have it they always want more like getting paid to watch your son bowl, wouldn't it be nice if we could all do that.
It would be considered a form of negligence in a hospital or nursing home......not to compare apples to oranges but, the thread of responsibility and personal integrity are the same for professions dealing with service to people......again, as a disclaimer I could never be a police officer, that is why I am a nurse.....but, he chose to be a police officer and is probably a good one for the most part, but dont follow the leader of NYS to think you have certain priviledges.....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
We need to hold these renegade cops accountable. This might not be something they can "fire" him for, but the city must receive compensation for this, either in the form of some unpaid days off for this officer or a reassignment to desk duty where he needs to punch a clock and have an immediate supervisor where he can be monitored while "on duty"
I applaud this guy for having "family time" and taking an active interest in his kids, but this is the WRONG lesson to be teaching his son.
There are companies who have GPS on their company vehicles and can find where they are at all times as a way to check that their employees are where they're supposed to be. Not a bad idea but the PBA will never allow that to happen to the police dept.
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