The Sheriffs' Association Institute held a week-long Basic School for deputy sheriffs and civilian staff of Sheriffs' civil divisions. Forty-one deputies and other staff from Sheriffs' Offices around the State attended. Deputies with expertise in civil enforcement law participated as instructors. The second week of this two-week school will take place from May 21st to the 25th and will focus on more advanced topics. The school is required training for counties seeking civil office accreditation. In its 30-year history, the program has trained over 2,000 Deputy Sheriffs and other employees of Sheriffs. It provides the only statewide training program for civil deputies, and is provided without charge to any civil personnel nominated for the school by a Sheriff.

Sheriff Ron Spike was honored before the Yates County Legislature on Monday as his Office was awarded reaccreditation of the Court Security Division. Peter Kehoe, executive director of the Sheriffs' Association, told the legislature that the Yates County's Court Security Division was the second in the state to be accredited five years ago. Now, it is just one of seven in the state that has been accredited. Under Sheriff Spike's leadership, his Office has also received Law Enforcement, Civil and PSAP accreditation, and is soon to receive correctional division accreditation. Kehoe praised the Sheriff and his excellent staff for their professional accomplishments and presented Sheriff Spike with an accreditation plaque. He also presented Sergeant Randy Schwingle with a certificate recognizing his efforts in managing the accreditation process. Here is an article from The Chronicle-Express about the event.

Photo (l to r): Sheriff Ron Spike, Sgt. Randy Schwingle, Undersheriff John Gleason and Executive Director Peter Kehoe

Chenango County Sheriff's Office Dispatcher Jeffrey Harter received a national award for helping save the life of a choking victim. Harter won the Smart Telecommunicator Award for taking a June 2011 911 call from Gwen Hornbeck, who reported that her 17-year-old disabled daughter Lauren LaMariana was unable to breathe. Hater was one of 20 nominees for the award, from around the nation.  In addition to the award, Smart911 donated $1,000 in Harter's name to the charity of his choice: the American Cancer Society.  The Award program is conducted by Rave Mobile Safety's Smart911, in partnership with the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT).

Photo (l to r): Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting, Jr., Dispatcher Jeffrey Harter, Lauren LaMariana (daughter), Gwen Hornbeck (mother), Chief Dispatcher A. Wesley Jones

MUNNSVILLE — Recently, Madison County American Legion held its annual Law & Order program dinner at the Munnsville American Legion. The program, held each year, honors those that protect communities day and night. This year’s recipients were Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley and the Munnsville Fire Department, which was called out to a fire just before dinner.