Shortsville Mayor Fred Mink says their one-person village police department is coming to an end, and has cast blame on Governor Andrew Cuomo for it.
Shortsville has had a village ‘police department’, which really consists of one officer.
However, the issue arose when Shortsville was ordered to comply with Gov. Cuomo’s New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.
It requires police agencies to have community meetings to review policies, procedures, and practices.
A plan has to be approved by April 1st.
“I can’t imagine having a police forum in Shortsville. I’m not sure who would show up,” Mink told the Finger Lakes Times. “Only 28 people voted in the last election.”
Last month, the village board voted unanimously to dissolve its police department. A permissive referendum follows, which means unless a petition with 100 signatures from the village appears on the board’s desk — it will take hold.
“We didn’t do this to save money or we wanted our police officer to retire. We look at this as being a small village and wanting a small police department, but it would be impossible to meet these goals,” Mink added. “Let’s say we submit a plan in April. It has to be approved by the state. What if it isn’t and is rejected? We run the risk of losing state aid.”
Former Ontario County Deputy Dick Coffey has been Shortsville’s sole police officer.
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