May 6, 2025
By Sheriff Jim Allard
It’s a beautiful day in Steuben County. The sun is shining, we have a break in the rain and everything is green! April was another busy and challenging month. We were fortunate enough to hire eight former NYS Correction Officers and swear in seventeen full and part time Correction Officers. We conducted an employee appreciation luncheon in which Captain Mills and Sheriff Allard made 60 pizzas for our team. We also received a visit from Peter Kehoe, the Executive Director of the New York State Sheriff’s Association, who honored our agency with re-accreditation awards for both the jail and civil divisions, celebrating the professionalism of our Office.
On Friday May 16th, 2025, at 6pm, our Office will conduct the SCSOs 10th annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service which honors those that made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for their communities. Come join our elected officials, veterans, students and first responders as we recognize and remember the sacrifice of the few for the many, at the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, 7007 Rumsey Street Extension, Bath, New York.
In April, our Office conducted a staffing analysis for the Patrol Division and presented it to the Public Safety and Corrections Committee. We outlined the challenges faced by our deputies in response time and geographic coverage as compared to similar counties. We produced a four-year plan to realistically address service shortages while still being budget conscious, keeping in mind that our current public safety investment in the patrol division is approximately two percent of the total annual county budget. The presentation was well received by the Legislature, and we expect to see an increase in coverage which is the key to improving public safety in Steuben County.
In April, Sergeant Sorge and Deputy Butler taught another NYS Boater’s Safety Course, continuing our monthly presentation of this course. Our newly certified Correction Officers completed the Initial Pistol Course for Peace Officers. Sergeant Erskine, Officer Turner, Deputy Henry, Deputy Saltsman, Deputy McCoy and Deputy Shepherd completed the NYS DCJS Instructor Development Course. Our Evidence Technicians completed the Trimble Forensics Training Course and Captain Mills and Lieutenant Thompson attended the LETDANYS (Law Enforcement Training Directors Association of New York State) Conference. Deputy Donahue completed the SWAT Operator Course in Livingston County. Ms. Hill completed a course on Sealing and Expunging Records and Managing Police Records. Investigator Martin completed a forty-hour course on Cellebrite phone evidence. Deputy Andrews completed Sniper Training at the NYS Tactical Officers Conference and Deputy Butler achieved recertification as a Drug Recognition Expert. Our Office conducted a Child Safety Seat Check in Addison, a Drug Takeback Event at the Sheriff’s Office, and a Safe Driving Event at Canisteo-Greenwood School. Undersheriff McNelis instructed Behavioral Threat Assessment Management at the Broome County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Allard swore in two new Deputy Sheriffs, Deputy Phelps and Deputy Hurd, as well as part time Investigator Stewart. Sheriff Allard appeared on Frankly Speaking and presented at the 911 Coordinators NYS Conference regarding First Responder Wellness and Durability.
April was another busy and challenging month in the Sheriff’s Office. Our investigators and deputies were tasked with one criminal possession of stolen property investigation, four burglary investigations, two robbery investigations, four endangering a child investigations, four assault investigations, one terroristic threat investigation, one unauthorized use of a vehicle investigation, four misuse of food stamps investigations, two sex offense investigations, four trespass investigations, three death investigations, one animal cruelty investigation, one fugitive from justice investigation, one reckless endangerment investigation, two resisting arrest investigations, three criminal contempt investigations, two fire investigations, twelve larceny investigations, three grand larceny investigations, three harassment investigations, six criminal mischief investigations and three narcotics investigations. Our Patrol Division was tasked with multiple domestic incident investigations along with mental health detainments, emergency medical aid, assisting other agencies, serving of warrants, and two intoxicated or impaired driving arrests.
All of our deputies and officers performed in an outstanding fashion, and we received multiple commendations from the public regarding their outstanding performance.
We continue to pray for our first responder colleagues and deployed military across the globe, as well as their families. We also pray for the victims of mass casualty events and state sponsored aggression.
Thank you for supporting the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office in these challenging times and stay safe!
Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard
