GREENE – The Village of Greene’s newest police officer received an unexpected honor when he graduated from the Otsego County Law Enforcement Academy earlier this month. Officer Scott Hubbard received not only his certificate on Jan. 17, but he also had the distinction of being the first recipient of the Aldo A. Rossi Jr. Award.
The award, for which Hubbard was selected by his fellow cadets, was given in honor of the Port Dickinson officer killed by a drunk driver last year. Rossi graduated from the academy in 2005, and was the first of its graduates to have been killed in the line of duty.
“To be honored by the people I went to school with was truly touching,” Hubbard said. “I can’t believe the rest of the students gave me that honor.”
Officer Rossi’s widow, Renee, presented the award to Hubbard; a moment he described as “very emotional.”
Hubbard entered the academy in April of last year to fulfill what he described as a “lifelong dream” to be in law enforcement. While he was sponsored by the village police department, he paid his own tuition and fees. One of the most significant expenses he incurred was traveling back and forth to Oneonta three times a week. According to Hubbard, the commute put 9,300 miles on his vehicle.
The classroom instruction portion of the academy wrapped up at the beginning of October. For the next three months, Hubbard worked to complete the 160 hours of field training time required by New York State. During that time, he spent about 20 hours a week riding along with Chief Steve Dutcher, Sergeant Norm Shaffer and other members of the Greene Police Department.
“It was nice to get out on the road and start applying the knowledge that I learned,” he said. “So much of the job is learned by doing.”
Hubbard had his required time finished before the end of 2008. From then until graduation, he continued to work alongside the chief and sergeant. Often he would be in one patrol vehicle, while the more experienced officer was in another.
“That was a big confidence builder for me,” he said.
Now, having officially graduated from the academy, Hubbard is looking forward to regular duty. He said he is grateful to have the opportunity.
“It’s been truly rewarding already,” said Hubbard. “I can’t thank the chief and sergeant enough. They put a lot of faith and confidence in me. It’s a job I’m very proud to be doing.”
Hubbard will work part-time for the department, averaging around 20 hours a week, Dutcher said. He will continue to work full-time with the Raymond Corporation, where he has been employed for 18 years.
Hubbard said his employer was supportive during the 9 month academy program; giving him the flexibility he needed to complete the training. He particularly credits his manager for making it possible.
“He was 100 percent supportive,” explained Hubbard. “He understood it was a dream of mine.”
Joining the police department is not Hubbard’s first foray into public service. After being active with the Greene Fire Department for more than 12 years, he was named chief in 2007. He stepped down from that position to enter the law enforcement academy.
“He’s been very dedicated to the village,” said Village of Greene Mayor Marcia Miller, who attended Hubbard’s graduation.
“We are very proud of him. We’re pleased to have him as a part of our police force,” Miller said.