FISHKILL – Police Chief Keith Dworkin has secured federal funding to equip every officer in his department with a body-worn camera. The newly confirmed funding comes more than a year after Town Supervisor Ozzy Albra joined then-Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney to announce the grant that never arrived. Albra did not mention the grant or press conference to Dworkin until “five minutes before the start, while he was in Middletown and I was in Fishkill,” Dworkin said.
And there is finger-pointing at the town hall complex as to who or what caused the delay.
Maloney lost his re-election bid and Chief Dworkin says the town administration failed to follow up to obtain the promised funds.
“The money has been sitting in a federal account, earmarked for the department but the town officials never followed up after Congressman Maloney and Supervisor Albra held a press conference in May of 2022 announcing the funding,” said Dworkin.
But Supervisor Albra said any delays are the result of inaction by the chief.
Dworkin disputes that. “This is a vital tool for both the public and the officers, so I pursued it with the Bureau of Justice Assistance and Congressman Lawler (NY-17).” Chief Dworkin was advised, he said, by the Bureau, that the application was never completed even though it was announced last year. “I have worked with the Bureau and confirmed that the Fishkill Police Department will receive the funding now that the paperwork has been completed.”
“I’m very glad that the complex process to receive the grant funding has been completed and the town can now receive these funds to further our commitment to public safety,” Albra said. “As a retired police officer myself, I’m a strong proponent of body cameras, which will improve transparency and protect both the public and our officers.”
Albra claims that Dworkin was responsible for all of the grant paperwork saying “He himself is the only person who could complete the process.”
Chief Dworkin said the town police department “is constantly seeking equipment and training opportunities that will keep our officers safe while also protecting the public at the same time.”
“Our chief has worked diligently to get us the tools and training we need to provide the best service possible,” Fishkill PBA President Carl DeMarco said. “Police departments in Dutchess County that use the cameras have praised their effectiveness as evidence collection tools that have helped in convicting criminals while also acting as a resource for investigating abuse allegations on the part of officers. My fellow officers in Fishkill are looking forward to putting the new tool to work.”
Dworkin plans to use the industry-leading Axon body cams system, used by the majority of police agencies across the country. “I am now focusing on determining which Axon system is best suited for deployment here, including the necessary software, hardware, computer equipment, and long-term recurring costs for the system.”
