Skaneateles Perkins to head state association of police chiefs police
When the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. (NYSACP) met in Alex Bay last Wednesday, Skaneateles was on the agenda. After several days of valuable training the association proceeded with the installation of officers. Bagpipes heralded the start of a ceremony that included a color guard with Camillus and Skaneateles officers.
“All the pomp and circumstance and drills off the streets makes the officers better able to do their jobs,” Skaneateles Police Clerk Cindy Jacobs said. “In police work certain things have to be done a certain way and you can’t stray. It’s about the discipline.”
Mayor Robert Green made the trip up to the Edgewater Resort in Alexandra Bay to aid NYSACP Board of Governorw Council John Palumbo in the swearing in of new association president. Lloyd Perkins, the chief of the Skaneateles village police department, will serve a one-year term. Dominic Giudice Jr. is the outgoing president.
Perkins said the organization works with the legislator in Albany on laws it endorses, such as stronger penalties for assaulting an officer.
“One of the goals that I have is for the association to close the open season on police officers,” Perkins said. “We need to increase penalties for those who assault officers, delve more into officer safety training and technology that will aid in this.”
The training over the week focused on communication issues, public safety, officer safety and also technology as it relates to weapons and communications. The chief said he will focus on underage drinking too. “It is something society accepts until there is a tragedy,” he said.
“You can tell that he really likes what he is doing,” Jacobs said of her boss, “a person who found the right path in life early and enjoys it immensely; he does it very well.”
She said it is easy to work for Perkins as he is a decision-maker who consistently goes by the rules, and rules make for easier communication.
She also said after John Kelly funeral the chief took it upon himself to make arrangements for the many officers who traveled from Richmond to pay respect for their fallen brother, to gather at the Legion Post.
He arranged for the P&C to provide food at this event. Nobody knew it was him.
Of his village police force, chief Perkins feels it is on top of property checks and responding to complaints. And the statistics say overall crime is down in Skaneateles.
“We are doing a good job, but we can do better,” he said, “training is key in law enforcement, giving your force the knowledge and tools to do the job.”
