Remarks of Sheriff Carl E. DuBois
Goshen, New York
I had a conversation a few months ago with an older gentleman, and we spoke about how I was doing in my job as Orange County Sheriff. He shared with me an interesting standard by which to measure those in public life who dared to ask for a second term.
- Did they make things better since they got the job?
- Did they do a decent job with the resources they had, in the time they were given to do it?
- Do they have a good reason why they want to keep the job.
Since I'm standing here asking for a second term, I'm going to spend a few minutes today answering those questions.
But first, I want everyone to know that my interest in change through the political process and commitment to the Republican Party didn't start 4 years ago. Or ten years ago. Or twenty years ago. This started back in the late 1970's stuffing envelopes for the Town of Mt. Hope Republican Committee in Dot Ogden's restaurant in Otisville when John Bonacic was a county legislator. Envelopes and caravans for Frank Phillips in the 1980's. Then on to the Mt. Hope Planning Board. Police Commissioner. Then defying the odds running against a 3 term incumbent village justice, and winning. Then being elected twice as town justice. 3 Elections in 18 months. And then a second time in the Village of Otisville. Finally, being elected as your Sheriff with 70% of the vote. Yes, I'm ready to go again in November 2006, and I'm proud to be part of a strong, electable, incumbent Republican Team.
One of the things I'm proudest of is that the day to day operation of the Sheriff's Office and the activities of Sheriff's staff is no longer front page news. When we do make news, it is usually good news.
I'm immensely proud of the kind of news we've made this year.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office recently received the highest honor a law enforcement organization can receive in the State of New York-Law Enforcement Accreditation by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice.
In order to receive the accreditation, the Sheriff's Office was required to be in compliance with 130 different rigorous standards established by the Accreditation Council-standards that are not easy to meet-demanding standards that require that we prove excellence in the administration, operation and training of deputies in the Sheriff's Office.
In 2006, we are on schedule to receive Accreditation in the Corrections Division by the New York State Sheriff's Association and the more stringent standards of the American Corrections Association.
We do take pride in our work and in our professionalism. Accountability, Responsibility, Discipline, and Fairness are a daily part of our vocabulary. The residents that sent me here 4 years ago demanded a posture of accountability. We have given them that.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office actively participates in new initiatives with other Law Enforcement Agencies to fight drug and gang violence, and they have made a difference together.
I am a father, and I remember a time when the boys were toddlers and I know first hand the fear of a parent who loses sight of his kids at a mall or county fair. We've made it easier for parents to find lost children. The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Operation Safe Child was awarded and is being administered by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. This new children's ID database has been established to make it easier to locate missing children. We have made Operation Safe Child is available for all of our municipalities.
The Office actively participates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in the Counter Terrorism Zone 4 Task force, comprised of agencies in Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan Counties. We constantly train our people and exchange information, should the unthinkable ever happen. Working together with Orange County Executive Ed Diana and the County Legislature, our emergency response capabilities have been strengthened and Orange County today is a safer place to live, work and raise a family than it was four years ago.
New Tracking Procedures have been initiated to control overtime and personnel costs utilizing existing software. In 2005, the Office utilized the same number of hours as in 2002 despite being tasked with 15 new assignments that enhance the safety and security of our residents. Undocumented overtime is a thing of the past.
Prisoner Transportation Procedures have been streamlined and made more efficient, utilizing NYSDOCS Transportation system.
We've applied for and received a record amount of grant monies, which have allowed us to improve homeland security, narcotics enforcement, technology, increasing the number of surveillance vehicles, criminal history acquisition, and protective vests for correctional officers.
COBA, DSPBA, and SOA Contracts were re-structured to be conducive with their jobs for the first time in the history of Orange County Government. These contracts now make the job competitive with other agencies and incorporate mandatory training.
Since 2003 we've taken empty space in the jail and leased it to other counties, generating over $8 million dollars in new revenue for Orange County and its taxpayers-and next year we will build on that number -- just enough to make Ed Diana smile.
I do take pride in the job we've done, and I'll be the first to say I did not do it by myself.
I want to thank my wife Barbara, for her stamina, patience with the hours I put into this, and for enduring a telephone that sometime rings at very odd hours. She has been a touchstone for me, at my side during difficult days, a source of inspiration, wisdom, guidance and quick to keep my ego in check. My sons Austin and Griffin, who keep me distracted by having me send them money. My mom, who is here in the front row, and my sister Regina, who knows a few things about politics.
I want to thank my command staff consisting of Ken Jones, Greg Gaetano, Rich Onorati, Dom Orsino, and all my supervisory personnel. Their credentials exceed the norm, unprecedented in the history of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The rank and file of our unions, the Orange County Correction Officers Benevolent Association, OC Deputy Sheriff's PBA, and the CSEA Superior Officers Association. These team members all play a part in our continuing success.
To Congresswoman Sue Kelly, thank you for your confidence in my office and unwavering support for law enforcement and commitment to eliminate terrorism; State Senators Bill Larkin, John Bonacic, and Tom Morahan. Monies appropriated by all 3 Senators have greatly enhanced the operations of the OCSO to further sustain safety and security for our residents; Members of Assembly Annie Rabbitt and Tom Kirwan, thank you for your continued support of my office and law enforcement; Orange County Executive Ed Diana - thank you for the resources you have given me to make our Office better, and to further protect and serve our residents. To Donna Benson and Frank Phillips, whose cooperation and support are always there. Orange County is so lucky to have these elected officials representing Orange County.
But most of all I thank you. You, my supporters and Orange County Residents are an integral part of the team. Your words and letters of support, encouragement, and thanks are overwhelming. I will continue to work hard for the team. Your team. Your sheriff.
We have used the resources afforded us by the County Executive, the state and federal government to better train our correction officers, upgrade the jail, make it safer, both for the inmates and the dedicated people who manage, feed and care for the inmate population. They do an excellent job which is dangerous, and we are proud of them.
Three years ago when I sought this job we talked about restoring honesty and integrity to the Sheriff's office. Today I can look you in the eye and say we have.
Of all that we've done, the honors received, the training enhanced, the level of safety improved, the overtime procedures put in place, if there is but one thing I'd like to be known for, it is restoring the public confidence in the operation of the Orange County Sheriff's office.
I will campaign on my record that we have been good stewards of taxpayer's money, that things have improved, that we did do well with the resources we had in the time we were given to do the job.
My work at the Sheriff's Office is not done by any means. While Orange County is a safer place than it was four years ago, we can, and we will make it safer still. And while we are light years ahead of where we were in professionalizing the department, there is more training to be done, procedures to be streamlined, and additional planning that needs to be done should a natural or man-made disaster visit Orange County.
County Executive Ed Diana and the Legislature have approved 2 positions for the Sheriff's Office Professional Standards and Compliance. These positions will maintain our accreditation status, perform self inspection, and be part of the system of checks and balances to ensure rules and regulations are being followed.
We will someday have, and soon I hope, a new police training facility with environmentally safe firearms training for police officers in Orange County, that will allow us to better train our deputies and police officers, more efficiently for less than it costs to do it today. I again plan to work with the Orange County Chiefs of Police, Ed Diana, and the County Legislature to get this on the drawing board. Our rapidly growing population demands the best our police officers have to offer. Speaking of training, it is not only for the rank and file, but for command personnel as well as myself. We are receiving some of the best law enforcement and corrections training our country has to offer.
Our county is bordered by two beautiful rivers. One of them happens to be an important means of moving fuel, gas, oil and chemicals to terminals up and down the Hudson River. I believe public officials need to know when dangerous cargo is docked off the shore of Newburgh and that we are prepared should there be a dangerous leak or spill. 36 freight trains in 24 hours north and south, a few feet above the western shore of the Hudson River. Continually, we are working together with our federal, state, and local legislators toward legislation that would require notification of hazardous materials movement. Our marine unit is detailed full time throughout the boating season, and stands at the ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year round if the call comes.
And there is something personal to me, which I have taken great interest in during my three years on this job. That is working together with the Orange County Chiefs of Police and the New York State Police to fight gang activity, drug sales, and the violence that those criminal activities bring to our communities. Together we've worked to rid our communities of these problems for the families that live in Orange County and beyond. I have no tolerance for those who sell drugs. I will never be completely at peace and our job will not be finished until these people have been brought to justice, placed behind bars, and locked up for life.
As a public servant who started his career as a Middletown cop, there is no greater honor than serving as the chief law enforcement officer of New York's fastest growing County. It is important to have the support, encouragement and help from you. The people simply ask that we do our job well with professionalism and integrity. These past few years have been the most rewarding years of my professional career. My management will be judged pursuant to current planning, how we handle acute change, adjust for change in progress, and what is in "the hopper" for the future. Leaders without vision are just managers. I have a vision, and goals to realize that vision. Our residents expect that from me. With your help, we will make our county, our communities, and our cities better place to work, live and raise a family.
I thank you for being here today. It has been my privilege to work with you, to serve you and the people of Orange County.
We have made a difference.
