POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Association of Chiefs of Police is continuing its efforts to provide training to local law enforcement agencies to keep with the changing times, according to President Nicholas Valhos, a retired Special Agent with the National Park Police.
Citing concerns that the media rarely mentions the positive things that law enforcement does, Valhos, as president, has begun a campaign to promote the association to let the public know that law enforcement, locally and across the country, are working diligently to adapt to the changing environment that is affecting law enforcement and keep their respective communities safe.
Changes in bail reform in New York are hampering police efforts, according to the association. The recent multiple arrests by a serial car thief by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie Police Departments have highlighted flaws in the bail laws that are handcuffing the police. Franz Bakter has been charged on numerous occasions by both the City and Town of Poughkeepsie Police for stealing cars, including being arrested eight times in 60 days by the town and has multiple other arrests in the city. Each time he has been arrested on felony charges for stealing a car, he receives an appearance ticket.
Hyde Park Police Chief Robert Benson appreciates the training programs. He previously told Mid-
Hudson “The training is much needed for law enforcement administrators in the current climate,” adding, “The laws and rules keep changing with many unfunded mandates and no guidance from the state.”
City of Poughkeepsie Police Chief Tom Pape participates in the association and called it a “Long-standing organization that brings law enforcement throughout the county together for pertinent training and legal updates to better serve our respective communities.”
Town of Fishkill Police Chief Keith Dworkin is also a member. “I’ve found that the Dutchess County Chiefs Association to be a professional group of agency heads during my time as a member. We work together to develop relationships across the county and give support and training in order to provide the best possible service to the residents of Dutchess County.” Dworkin was named Fishkill Police Chief in 2020 and has begun his 32nd year in law enforcement this year.
Nineteen agencies in Dutchess County belong to the association. Membership requires that you must be a member of a police agency in the county and be among the ranks of chief, colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, police commissioner, or an officer in charge, in good standing to become a member.
The group meets five times per year at various locations to conduct general business and participate in training, such as the recent meeting in Poughkeepsie that covered topics including the First Amendment, social media, and media relations. The original coverage can be found HERE.
“We look at any police issues in the county and try to resolve it to the best of our ability. We provide in-person training, online training or other training opportunities to all members,” said Valhos, who noted that many of the departments face the same challenges and the Association gives the members a chance to discuss various ways to address them.
The association was formed on January 27, 1988, with then Hyde Park Police Chief Jim Dunagan serving as the first president.
Agencies with membership in the Association:
- Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office
- New York State Police
- City of Poughkeepsie Police Department
- City of Beacon Police Department
- Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department
- Town of Hyde Park Police Department
- Town of East Fishkill Police Department
- Town of Fishkill Police Department
- Village of Fishkill Police Department
- Village of Millerton Police Department
- Village of Rhinebeck Police Department
- Town of Pine Plains Police Department
- Village of Wappingers Falls Police Department
- Village of Millbrook Police Department
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection Police (DEP)
- US Marshals Service
- National Park Service Police
- MTA Police Department
