Update on Constable Status for Chautauqua Police
Dear Chautauquans,
I am writing to provide an update on the status of our efforts to achieve Constable status for the officers of the Chautauqua Institution Police Department. This follows communications over the past couple months regarding a change in their “special deputy” status through the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.
It’s my pleasure to report that, at a meeting Monday night of the Town of Chautauqua Board, the Board voted to approve a new law establishing a town constabulary and authorized Supervisor Don Emhardt to sign our agreement making our police department personnel the Town of Chautauqua constables.
The next step is to seek state approval, and we expect that part of the process will be completed soon. To get us to this point, our thanks and congratulations are due to the Town of Chautauqua Board and Supervisor Emhardt, Joe Gerace, Director of Campus Security and Safety, and John Shedd, Vice President for Campus Planning and Operations, in addition to the members of our police department and Chautauqua community members who attended last night’s meeting and offered compelling testimony in support of the new law.
We will continue to keep you informed of the status of this process and the parallel process underway to seek Peace Officer status from the State of New York.
With best regards,
Michael E. Hill
President