Riley Promises Integrity, Accountability, Professionalism

To the Editor:

I am running for the Office of Madison County Sheriff. I am a lifelong Madison County resident. I own an operating 110-acre pasture based beef cattle farm in the Town of Lebanon, where I live with my wife, Carol of 21 years and our two daughters. I am a member of the Lebanon Federated Church, where I served as Chairperson for the Board of Trustees and for Lebanon Hometown Days. Carol and I have also received the Roses for the Living for the Lebanon area, an award for community service.

While attending Morrisville College, I was accepted into the New York State Police Academy. During my time at the academy I received training in NYS laws, criminal procedure law, rules and regulations, accident investigation, court room testimony, criminal and non-criminal investigation, administrative procedures and report writing. After graduation, I was assigned to the Morrisville station. I was later selected to be a K-9 handler, and then was assigned to Oneida. I was then assigned to the Sullivan station when it was opened. When a new station opened in Cazenovia, I was assigned there. I was then promoted to the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), and assigned to the Gaming Unit. At the end of my mandatory time in the Gaming Unit, I transferred to Oneida Headquarters BCI. There I was assigned to investigate criminal activities in Madison County.

During my 27 years with the State Police, I have been involved in or in-charge of numerous high profile cases. As a Trooper, I have been involved in a number of search and rescue details, prison escapes, Sara Ann Wood detail, World Trade Center bombing and was designated member-in-charge of two stations.

As an Investigator, I was the lead Investigator for two airplane crashes, and two homicide investigations in Madison County.

I have worked in every town, hamlet, village, with every fire, highway and police department in Madison County. A great majority of my career has been spent serving the citizens of Madison County.

I recently retired from the New York State Police after 27 years of service to run for this office. I believe my experience as a Trooper and Investigator qualifies me as the best candidate for Madison County Sheriff.

Working for you as a New York State Trooper has prepared me in many ways to serve you as Sheriff. I know the complex operations of a large police agency and its need for experience leadership. The first priority and most important duty as Sheriff for one of the largest agencies of your county is to ensure that all of its operations are conducted with accountability, integrity and professionalism. This requires responsible leadership and a responsive chain of command throughout the agency.

The Sheriff runs the department and does not have time to investigate each and every crime. However, he must possess the expertise and knowledge to know his departments and keep them on a proper course. During my state police service, I have worked with police agencies across New York State and have gained a sound working relationship with them. I have worked very closely with the Madison County District Attorney’s Office over the past 27 years. Working with the Child Advocacy Center and Department of Social Services, I have handled a great number of child abuse cases. This experience will not only yield immediate effectiveness within the Sheriff’s office, it also provides the network of outside contacts to most effectively get the job done.

Owning and operating a beef cattle farm for the past 18 years has taught me some of the lessons that can only be learned from a private business. As Sheriff, I can put this knowledge to work for you.

As a lifelong resident and public servant, I have big goals for the Sheriff’s Department to make it more efficient, more positive and more responsive to the people of Madison County.

Without accountability, integrity and professionalism, we cannot become the law enforcement agency this county deserves. Every member of this department will be accountable for his or her actions. When held to higher standards with professional fairness and discipline, Officers will gain pride and respect throughout our county.

Of the $7.5 million budget, $4.2 million is for correctional facility and that is much too high. Despite more than adequate resources the facility is poorly run, guards are ill-supervised, and the place is dirty. Located between overcrowded Oneida and Onondaga County jails, at one time our correctional facility was a revenue producer for the county. With just a little initiative, it can be returned to that status.

The $3.3 million public safety budget also needs to be examined for cuts without affecting service. Better management of patrol routes and vehicle use will significantly reduce cost. In addition, there are numerous Homeland Security and state and federal grants to buy equipment that can reduce the cost of operations.

All of this requires training: training in the traditional aspects of law enforcement and justice; training in efficient management of the multitude of resources and equipment we use. A priority to continually update training is essential. Police tactics are constantly changing. We are, for example, increasingly faced with cyberspace crimes. Deputies need to be trained in the technical aspects of their investigations; securing computers, so they can be examined without the lost of evidence and the legal requirements leading to a sound conviction in court. As the county continues to grows, the need for updated training grows also.

These are just a few of my goals, I wish to accomplish.

I believe that I can serve Madison County as your Sheriff. I ask that you vote for me on Nov. 3.

Sincerely,

Allen Riley, Lebanon