Senator Skoufis Congratulates Area Police Departments for Certification

You might think "Certification" would be a normal process for New York Police Departments. But this is a special level of Certification that requires significant additional training, at the end of which they are both trained to use advanced equipment, but are also provided with the appropriate equipment function with advanced skills.

On Friday, February 13, Officials and 7 newly Certified Police Departments met at the Town of Chester Police Headquarters to be congratulated on their new standing.

Skoufis Announces Seven Newly Accredited

OC Police Departments, Aided by $380,000 in Funding

Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) joined police chiefs and local elected leaders from across Orange County to announce the new accreditation and accreditation in progress of seven police departments in the towns of :

Chester

Mount Hope

Town of Goshen

Tuxedo;

Village of Goshen

Village of Tuxedo Park

City of Port Jervis.

The $380,000 in funding secured by the Senator’s office provided the financial flexibility and support that made accreditation a reality.

The state’s police accreditation program is voluntary and designed to improve an agency’s effectiveness and efficiency, promoting training and fostering public confidence in law enforcement. Accreditation standards are divided into three categories: training, operations, and administration. Participating agencies are expected to implement all program standards, which provide a blueprint for professionalism that every state law enforcement agency can meet. 

“I know safety is every officer’s priority - for their fellow officers, for the people in their communities, and for themselves,” said Senator Skoufis. “The accreditation program was designed by New York State officers for New York State officers, and that we have so many accredited police departments in Orange County is a testament to the commitment of these officers to truly protect and serve. I’m proud to support these departments and all law enforcement who serve our communities every day.”

Accreditation represents a commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and service,” said Chief Blasko, President of Police Chiefs' of Orange County. “The seven newly accredited departments and those on their way join 12 other Orange County agencies, including our Sheriff's office, in demonstrating dedication to excellence in training, operations, and administration.  This achievement reflects the hard work of our officers and the strong partnerships we share with our communities. We are grateful to Senator Skoufis for securing the funding that made this progress possible, and we remain committed to continuously strengthening public trust and enhancing public safety throughout Orange County.”

"We are so incredibly proud of our Police Department becoming an accredited agency,” said Supervisor Holdridge. “Some may not realize how difficult it can be to reach that status. I want to thank Senator Skoufis for recognizing the importance of these achievements. This funding will promote public safety across the county."

Attending the Event were:

Chief Dominick Blasko, Town of Crawford; Police Chiefs’ of Orange County, President

Chief Daniel Doellinger, Town of Chester

Chief James Post, Town of Goshen

Chief Ryan Rich, Village of Goshen

Chief William Worden, City of Port Jervis

Chief Michael Maresca, Town of Mount Hope

Chief Richard Marsh, Town of Tuxedo

Chief Allen Faust, Village of Tuxedo Park

Supervisor Brandon Holdridge, Town of Chester

Mayor Molly O’Donnell, Village of Goshen

Mayor Dominic Cicalese, City of Port Jervis

The seven departments join 11 already accredited Orange County police departments in the City of Middletown; towns of Blooming Grove, Cornwall, Crawford, New Windsor, Wallkill, Warwick, and Woodbury; and villages of Greenwood Lake, Harriman, and Monroe.