Kaczmarek and his wife, Lisa, were part of a group of some two dozen people including her son, Miles Smith who funneled large quantities of cocaine and heroin from Long Island and Manhattan onto the streets of Schenectady. To make it onto the force, prospective police recruits now must undergo a battery of tests, including psychological evaluation, background investigations and a polygraph test, and are interviewed by a panel of police officials. Samantha Humphrey, 14, was . Clifford doesnt think the department is haunted by the past, but knows there are haters out there who bring up its past collective sins at every opportunity. Following a brief foot chase, Pommer repeatedly punched Yugeshwar Gaindarpersaud and kneeled on his head and neck while taking him into custody. Large overtime payments boost Schenectady County law. Gary McCarthy announces re-election bid for Schenectady, Snow emergency issued in town of Glenville, Schenectady Police looking for missing teen, Village of Scotia declares Snow Emergency, Police: Body found identified to be Samantha Humphrey, Upcoming parking restrictions in Schenectady, Snow emergency declared in Rotterdam until March, Arrest made in suspected Schenectady meth lab case, Police yet to identify body found in Mohawk, Niskayuna student to play with Schenectady orchestra, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Rumors about his own drug use stretched back years, and forced him to confront those allegations when he was appointed police chief by Mayor Albert P. Jurczyski in 1996. Clifford said he is focused on strengthening the bond between police and residents, and maintaining professionalism and ethics. "The Schenectady Police Department is awaiting additional autopsy results and further information will be released when it becomes available," the agency wrote in a statement. All New York State Police responded to a two-car rollover crash on I-87 in Malta on Wednesday. The alert was issued after two possible overdoses in nearby communities. We have complete faith in the Schenectady Police Department and district attorneys office to complete this task.. Once the force's command staff started demanding more from the officers they were overseeing, Carney said power centers that once flourished due to poor leadership began to evaporate. Jan 3, 2021. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sources told News Channel 13 that Humphrey's body was found stuffed into a shopping cart, but police have not confirmed that information. GLENVILLE A pedestrian struck and seriously injured after being struck by a car early Wednesday remained unidentified later Wednesday Read more , ALBANY WNYT weatherman Neal Estano is leaving the station, WNYT announced Monday. SPD would like to thank the public for their assistance along with members of the NYSP Aviation Unit, the Albany County Sheriff's Office, the Capital District Transportation Authority - CDTA and Schenectady Neighborhood Watch. Laboratory equipment and chemicals were found when officers went to serve an eviction notice. I am obviously devastated. Video shot by his father and disseminated by social justice advocates fueled public outrage, leading to protests and later, changes in police policy. Police responded for a call of shots fired ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) Albany County Sheriff Apple reports the arrest of Jordan A. Spraker, 20 of Schenectady. The county District Attorneys Office determined Pommer did not break any laws, but the officer was suspended for six days and ordered to undergo counseling. Districts ran out, used remote school Tuesday, Churchill: David Carpenter, Dwayne Killings and a confused UAlbany, Memorial service Saturday for Samantha Humphrey. Even though police havent yet declared publicly if a criminal act led to Samanthas untimely death, public comments by A 35-year-old man accused of trying to gun down two people during separate robberies in the region could spend the rest of his life in prison.Demetries Smith, of Albany, was convicted of all charges in a seven-count indictment, including first-degree attempted murder, by an Albany County Supreme Co. Districts ran out, used remote school Tuesday, Churchill: David Carpenter, Dwayne Killings and a confused UAlbany, Memorial service Saturday for Samantha Humphrey. In the police department now, many times were mandating the officers to stay so we can meet minimum staffing so we can provide services to residents as they call in for police assistance.. "He must of thought he had a warrant, but he doesn't," Irwin said later, after the man was placed in the back of another police vehicle and taken to the station for booking on charges stemming from the confrontation and lying about his identity. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. January 28, 2021. The landlord of the apartment called police because she found the door to the unrented apartment kicked in and believes people have been squatting there. Pop. Theyre expensively trained and equipped. . His Read more , SCHENECTADY Changes to the Schenectady garbage collection schedule for large household items could be imminent with the closure of Read more , SCHENECTADY With the confirmation by Schenectady police of Samantha Humphreys death, community leaders reacted to the distressing news while Read more , SCHENECTADY Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy was standing not far from where he learned about a potential primary challenger in Read more , SCHENECTADY For much of her career, Schenectady patent attorney Nancy Baum Delain has been tracking inventions. Follow the link to read our updated Privacy Policy. Carney pointed to one of the most important changes: less cynicism about the public among police officers. SCHENECTADY, NY (WRGB) The Schenectady School District is asking parents to be on alert while police investigate reports of a man approaching a student. An investigation was done, said the district, and the rumors of a shooting were unsubstantiated. Home. Stay Connected! A pat-down revealed a paycheck stub with the man's name, which was different from the name he had provided to Irwin. Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 05:27 PM EST SCHENECTADY, N.Y. ( NEWS10) The Schenectady Police Department's Youth Aid Bureau is searching for a missing 14-year-old. Mom of child victim angered by resolution in case alleging rape, Floor and Decor to take over former Sears space in Colonie Center, Police confirm body in Mohawk is Samantha Humphrey, Megna, a fixture in state government, to be budget director again, Raniere says he fears he could die like Whitey Bulger, Epstein, End of snow days? 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. SCHENECTADY Members of the Schenectady Police Department hold nine of the top 10 slots on the list of the citys highest earning municipal workers in 2022. The mayor said he expects the trend of first responders commanding the top earners list to continue in the future. According to the police,. The complaint also names the city and five additional unnamed officers as defendants, claiming they engaged in a joint venture to violate Ringers rights by allegedly assisting each other and lending their physical presence and support to Pommer and failing to intervene. Police found no one inside the apartment. On July 23, 2019, the Schenectady Police Department launched Schenectady Cares; an innovative program designed to help those living with a substance use disorder. According to the district, on February 10th, at around 8:45, a student was approached twice by a man driving a grey FJ Cruiser. Police investigator Michael Crounse finished second on the citys list, earning $97,057 in overtime pay to raise his total income to $192,172. On Wednesday, police pulled a body from that river, and on Monday, the Schenectady police confirmed the body to be that of Humphrey. Ringer, he said, was advised that she was under arrest and placed under arrest.. SCHENECTADY, NY (WRGB) According to the Schenectady County District Attorney Office, a 50-year-old Schenectady woman was sentenced, pleading guilty to welfare fraud. View All News /CivicAlerts.aspx. SCHENECTADY The Schenectady Police Department's Youth Aid Bureau is asking for the public's help in locating a missing 14-year-old. Police Chief Eric Clifford said the new software, called Patrolfinder, is part of a years-long. According to law enforcement, Raquan Dyson admitted in court to raping a 14-year-old girl. She can be contacted at maryan@wnyt.com or 518-207-4880. WNYT-TV, LLC TROY, N.Y.(NEWS10) Police in Troy arrested 31-year-old Deion Austin as a suspect in connection with the targeted shooting of a CDTA bus that was carrying riders early Saturday morning. Investigators say Sursattee Sukhnandan was accused of stealing $27,000 in SNAP benefits from 2017 through 2022. The golden parachute was also a chance to breathe life into the department with younger, better-educated cops with a stronger command staff and a stepped-up emphasis on training. Schenectady attorney Nancy Baum Delain, won international contest with speech on ChatGPT, Snowy weather to continue in the greater Capital Region throughout the week, Body found in Mohawk River was Samantha Humphrey, Schenectady Police confirm, Glenville man recognized for extraordinary service by NY Water Environment Association, Images: Inside the Olde South Street Shoppe in Burnt Hills (13 photos), Gary McCarthy to formally launch fourth-term Schenectady mayoral bid (with updates), Scrapbook 1976: Looks from Schenectady, Scotia, Rotterdam and Burnt Hills (12 photos). The body was in a shopping cart underneath the old railroad bridge at the Stockade. He also worked for a record label. They say a gun and drugs were recovered from the scene. After a months-long BALLSTON SPA Saratoga County sheriffs deputies will begin receiving $750 annual stipends from 2025 until the countys contract with the Saratoga deputies union expires in 2027 to maintain body cameras. The investigation into the killing is continuing. On July 23, 2019, the Schenectady Police Department launched Schenectady Cares; an innovative program designed to help those living with a substance use disorder. The. We are a different department.. Ringer claims she suffered a cut lip that required stitches, among other injuries. Her body was located by fishermen at around 2:30 pm on Wednesday. Former middle school custodian sentenced for raping, Police: Body found identified to be Samantha Humphrey, 03/01/2023: Marching storms to start March, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, TAKE 5 lottery ticket worth $36,572 sold in Oneonta, Cuban restaurant moving, reopening in Amsterdam, Everything happening around Lake George in March, TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, Schuylerville CSD to launch Unified Sports in April, Philly cheesesteak restaurant opening in MASS MoCA, Eleven injured after car hits school bus in Kingston, DEC: Vehicle abandoned in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Police run underage drinking detail in Montgomery, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 1 of 6 Police investigate the scene of a fatal shooting on Odell Street near Brandywine Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Schenectady, N.Y. Will Waldron/Times Union Show More Show Less 2 of 6 . Assistant Police Chief Michael Seber finished third on the list with $192,158 earned last year, with investigator Michael Hudson coming in fourth for city employees with $191,908 in total salary with $98,183 coming from overtime pay. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Forum set on food recycling in Warren County, Troy takes on trash problems with new barrels, Glenville Police seek help IDing victim hit by car, Albany Patroons announce free admission for kids. The Schenectady Police Department announced they. She was reported missing. Pete DeMola is a breaking news and current trends reporter. The investigation, and the parallel search for accountability and justice, continues. I think this is a common-sense approach to make perps think twice about what theyre doing, Scarcella-Spanton said. The motor vehicle crash that Pat Irwin responded to happened in front of Duane Etienne's Michigan Avenue residence. The city's colonial past survives in its downtown Historic Stockade area. Mom of child victim angered by resolution in case alleging rape, Floor and Decor to take over former Sears space in Colonie Center, Police confirm body in Mohawk is Samantha Humphrey, Megna, a fixture in state government, to be budget director again, Raniere says he fears he could die like Whitey Bulger, Epstein, End of snow days? 14SCHENECTADY A 16-year-old tried to kill a man last month in Schenectady's Central Park, police said. DeMola also spent a half-decade in Beijing where he covered pop culture for several publications and social media companies. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Being a police officer and having power, it does something to a person, where sometimes you start to think that you can get away with certain things.". This all comes after Matthew McKenna was arrested last week for allegedly running a meth lab in a unit at the Netherlands Village Apartments on Dorwaldt Boulevard in Schenectady. Realizing he was about to be arrested, the already irate boyfriend who not long ago had been cursing and arguing with Irwin and the other cops on the scene of the fender bender grew even angrier. Previously, Pommer was suspended without pay for three days for failing to enforce social distancing rules at an ice cream shop during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic on April 6, 2020. On Wednesday, police pulled a body from that river, and on Monday, the Schenectady police confirmed the body to be that of Humphrey. Roughly 95 percent of the city's police officers were hired since 1999, the year the FBI launched an investigation of the department that ended with four cops a lieutenant and three patrolmen serving prison time for bending the law to protect informants, or supplying them with drugs. Officials said they . The search for the teen continued on Monday. There were also good police officers, there were always good detectives, (but) there was a much looser sense of control over what was going on down there, Carney said, adding that the powerful Schenectady Police Benevolent Association union was too often at war with management in the bad old days. When he found out he was being considered for the chiefs job, he recruited lieutenants Brian Kilcullen and Patrick Leguire, both of whom he later promoted to assistant chiefs. Days later, her jacket was found along the banks of the Mohawk River. Look for news and sports from the. Chaireswho recounted recently that even after the federal corruption convictions, All hell broke loose in his early days in the top job. Do you know me?' SCHENECTADY Police have identified the city man who was gunned down on a city street Wednesday afternoon as 26-year-old Matteo Henderson. Paul Nelson covers cops and courts in Schenectady County as well as the suburban towns of Niskayuna and Rotterdam. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. School Superintendent Anibal Soler referred to the death as disturbing news that deeply affects all of us. He said Samanthas potential was limitless, and she will be greatly missed.. No amount of time could prepare for this day, she said. Schenectady Fire Chief Donald Mareno finished ninth on the list with a $183,988 salary in 2022, with Assistant Fire Chief Marc Ciccone earning $161,611 last year, with $50,557 earned in overtime compensation. Schenectady Police report nearly $1 Million in unpaid parking fees Ashley Dager 23 hrs ago Like Comments Provided by WRGB Albany $900,000 in unpaid parking violations. When that happens," Irwin said, "I ask them, 'Have you ever dealt with me? The Schenectady County Sheriff's Office announced it will hold 2 virtual police reform and community collaboration meetings in February. This is a carousel. Samantha Humphrey, 14, was reported missing Sunday night by the Schenectady Police Department. Police overtime pay significantly boosted salaries for police in 2022, with the citys top earner, police officer Richard Desbiens, paid $132,590 in overtime last year, boosting his base salary of $82,087 to a total of $222,333. SCHENECTADY - In a bid to weed out bad apples, the city police department has over the past few years toughened its hiring standards to include a psychological evaluation and polygraph test, as. Police Chief Eric Clifford said the encounter was recorded on Pommers body-worn camera. Schenectady The Daily Gazette is your premier source for news about local politics, business, sports and events in Schenectady, including at Proctors. The victim was flown to Albany Medical Center. Guided by the principles of PAARI (Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative) Read on. People familiar with the department say a number of decisions helped tame the troubled force, including the promotion to chief of Mark Chaires, a longtime city police officer with a low tolerance for poor professional behavior. The federal complaint states that Ringer was walking near 600 Franklin St., which is a block away from city police headquarters, on Sept. 24, 2019 when Pommer approached in his vehicle, told her to come over and searched her purse, a command with which she complied. Photos from our Erica Miller Read more , SCHENECTADY Gary McCarthy is expected to formally announce his third re-election bid for Schenectady mayor on Tuesday. On August 31, 2022, Spraker allegedly entered a barn or garage and stole three motorbikes. Pommer took Ringer into custody after charging her with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. Carney and other police officials also said Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett, who was hired by then-Mayor Brian U. Stratton in 2007 after serving as State Police superintendent, played a prominent role in the departments resurgence. The Daily Gazette is your premier source for news about local politics, business, and events in Schenectady county. He's holding police accountable through what he terms a progressive model of discipline in which even a few minor infractions could result in a officer being fired. The meetings will be streamed. The Schenectady Police Department is working to locate the missing teen. Estano worked on the stations morning newscast. She told the young cop that her boyfriend a Troy resident who had been a passenger in the vehicle she was driving was now accusing her of stealing his money. SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) Schenectady Police are bringing new technology into the field. We all demand respect, but nobody wants to give it, he said. Schenectady County The Daily Gazette is your premier source for news about local politics, business, and events in Schenectady county. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The department said Faith Layne was last seen on Feb. 21, 2023 along Park Avenue in the city. Irwin, who graduated from Union College, said he was well aware of the departments notoriety but that it didn't scare him away from a job he loves. The nine-year department veteran was also issued a counseling notice for using foul language when he spoke to a teenager on a domestic violence call in 2019. The FBI probe that led to those arrests also found widespread civil rights violations by city cops. The story has been updated. Police are now investigating the death as and at this point, is not known whether or not it is a homicide investigation. The department said Faith Layne was last seen on Feb. 21,. Bennett died in 2017. You can reach him at pete.demola@timesunion.com. Historically its always been police and fire dominating it, McCarthy said. Samanthas mother, Jaclyn Humphrey, released a statement after the autopsy results were announced on Monday. After months of investigators searching, a fisherman spotted the body in the water last Wednesday. In the wake of. Samantha was last seen around 11:30 p.m. Friday in the area of Riverside Park in the Stockade neighborhood. They wanted to know more than grades, said Buffardi, who no longer teaches. Should he Read more , CAPITAL REGION SCRAPBOOK Capital Region Scrapbook is patched into 1976 today, with photos from that years late winter. A search continues for missing 14-year-old Samantha Humphrey, who was last seen around 11 p.m. Friday near Riverside Park in Schenectady. A member of the Mohawk tribe, Lawrence encouraged the people of Schenectady to rebuild following the 1690 massacre that nearly destroyed their settlement. Schenectady police are searching for Faith Layne, 14. Coping with the events of today is very difficult., She did not deserve what has happened to her, Jaclyn Humphrey added, and hope to get swift resolution to this horrific event. Districts ran out, used remote school Tuesday, Churchill: David Carpenter, Dwayne Killings and a confused UAlbany, Memorial service Saturday for Samantha Humphrey. On Monday, hope turned to heartache when Schenectady Police confirmed that the body found last week near the Mohawk River was indeed Samantha Humphrey. City Court dismissed Ringers charges in March 2020. Police are trying to figure out who he is. After evidence is collected, it's actually the apartment complex that's responsible for cleaning it all up, Schenectady Police Investigator Jeff Sauer said. Chaires retired in 2012, and now teaches criminal justice at Tennessee State University in Nashville. Police believe she may be headed to the Naples, Florida area. Apr. Clifford will retain the same base salary of $164,796 in the citys approved 2023 spending plan. SCHENECTADY Members of the Schenectady Police Department hold nine of the top 10 slots on the list of the city's highest earning municipal workers in 2022. Police investigate the scene of a fatal shooting on Odell Street near Brandywine Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Schenectady, N.Y. Bystanders wait as police investigate the scene of a fatal shooting on Odell Street near Brandywine Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Schenectady, N.Y. Bystanders watch as police investigate the scene of a fatal shooting on Odell Street near Brandywine Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Schenectady, N.Y. Police search along Odell Street following a fatal shooting near Brandywine Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Schenectady, N.Y. Seven months after their indictment, Kaczmarek and his wife entered guilty pleas. There was an increased police presence at Shenendehowa High School on Wednesday. McCarthy earned $100,568 in 2022, which did not crack the citys list of top 50 earners. There were reports on social media of a shooting threat for today at the school. When I first got here, there were a lot of people who had the ability to retire and werent because they were in these jobs that supervisors werent making them do work, so they were comfortable and they had no reason to leave, Clifford said. A few years later, the city in a bid to save money offered police officers with more than 20 years on the job a chance to retire and receive a $20,000 payout. SCHENECTADY The Schenectady police officer whose violent encounter with a suspect inflamed racial tensions in the weeks following George Floyd's murder two years ago has again been accused of using heavy-handed tactics. Police officers proliferate the. David Ayala, 37, of Schenectady, was charged with second-degree murder and other charges related to the Nov. 23 shooting in the area of Odell Street and Brandywine Avenue, police said. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. On July 23, 2019, the Schenectady Police Department launched Schenectady Cares; an innovative program designed to help those living with a substance use disorder. Increased Reward Offered by New York State Humane Association, Schenectady Cares Program Phase II (Update). Police did not name the suspect due to his age, but said the 16-year-old was. Clifford recalled a police commander telling him and the other new recruits in 2002 there were at least a dozen cops who should not be working as police officers. It turns out there are no regulations in New York state when it comes to cleaning up meth labs. Grief counselors are in place at Schenectady High School as the community comes to grips with the death of Samantha Humphrey. Former students have told Buffardi how much tougher Schenectadys screening process is than those of other regional law enforcement agencies. Pete DeMola is a breaking news and current trends reporter. She was last seen wearing a black and pink puffy jacket, with bell-bottom jeans and tan Timberland boots. She is described as 411 and 95 pounds. A representative of the police union that represents Pommer did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. Schenectady police are investigating a homicide that took place early Friday morning. We look forward to their swift and permanent prosecution. The 160 police officers that are here today, 95 percent of them were not here in 1999, Clifford said. City Hall 105 Jay Street Schenectady, NY 12305 Opening Hours: 8am - 4pm Reach him at shughes@timesunion.com or 518-454-5438. A Hubbard Broadcasting Company, Autopsy results confirmed the body pulled out of the Mohawk River last Wednesday afternoon was the freshman, School Superintendent Anibal Soler referred to the death as disturbing news that deeply affects all of us., NewsChannel 13 has been reporting for more than three months, a fisherman spotted the body in the water last Wednesday. As much stuff as went on before, when I became chief all these guys kept getting in trouble for off-duty stuff, said Chaires, whose tenure that began in the 2008, saw several officers fired, forced to resign or retire or quit the force for such bad behavior. Schenectady Police Department 531 Liberty Street Schenectady, NY 12305. Investigators also claimed that Sukhnandan's husband was employed, had joint Today in Broome County Court, an Albany man pled guilty to felony Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree. The Daily Gazette first reported on the lawsuit. Etienne, 64, marveled at how police calmly dealt with the man and his girlfriend and were able to defuse the situation. The investigation, and the parallel search for accountability and justice, continues. . . This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. He previously reported for the Daily Gazette and Sun Community News in the Adirondacks where he won multiple awards for his investigative reporting. The department also toughened its hiring standards, and over the years the police force one of the best paid in the region has attracted candidates that seem better suited for police work. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Chaires said he focused on purging the department of the small band of miscreants while still providing training and support for the vast majority of cops who took their job of serving and protecting seriously. Receive email or text message updates regarding the information you have requested. . Guided by the principles of PAARI (Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative).