NORWICH – Earlier this month the Chenango County Sheriff's Office recognized over 70 members of law enforcement for their contributions throughout the county at its annual award ceremony.

The ceremony was held on March 1, at the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich. The main speaker, Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting, started off the event with a discussion on various topics including the work of his employees, manpower shortages, and the hypothetical legalization of marijuana along with the impacts it could have on local communities.

Cutting said he recognized that all of the office's employees work hard and make significant contributions to the office and to the public they serve. He added, “While our awards committee has selected several officers to receive formal awards for those who stood out in many situations last year, all staff are deserving of an award.”

According to Cutting, the Chenango County 911 Center handled 90,342 emergency and non-emergency calls for service in 2018.

"The 911 Center is going through an aggressive modernization plan designed to prepare the center for emerging technologies and Next Generation 911, said Cutting. "The infrastructure was put in place for Text to 911, which allows a citizen who is unable to speak to a dispatcher for any number of reasons, to text their emergency."

He said while technology continues to improve, turnover rates in the corrections division of the sheriff's office remain an issue high due to the difficulty of the job.

"Manpower shortages still plague the corrections division, as it is a tough environment within which to work," said Cutting. "We hire five new officers and only one or two stay, largely due to the strain on families that the corrections occupation can cause."

He thanked county leadership for resolving employee contract issues, and he said that this is the first time in nearly 20 years that all labor contracts are up to date. He added that he hopes the now competitive wages resolve the manpower shortages the office has faced in 2018, and the office continues do its best to keep the citizens of Chenango County safe.

"Our detectives have continued making many arrests in the illegal sale and manufacture of heroin and methamphetamine," said Cutting. "Several arrests were made in 2018 which ultimately resulted in the largest illegal narcotics seizure in Chenango County history."

He said that the narcotics seizure stemmed from a joint investigation between the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, Norwich Police Department, and New York State Police. He added that Detective David Castle headed the investigation on behalf of the sheriff's office.

"Going forward, the sheriff’s office will face many emerging issues which will create many challenges for public safety," said Cutting.

He stated that the legalization of marijuana will not make Chenango County safer, and will cause us to have to retire our current K-9, due to him having been imprinted with detecting marijuana, at a significant cost to county taxpayers.

According to Cutting, the Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Program is now serving four schools including South Otselic, Sherburne, DCMO BOCES, and the Afton School Districts. He said all four of the school districts will have deputies in them five days a week in the near future, and funding for Sheriff’s Camp remains secure.

"We will be able to provide another 350-400 kids a summer camp experience free of charge," said Cutting. “Your sheriff’s office and its staff continue to meet the many challenges in the most cost efficient manner possible. We will answer the calls for help and protect and serve the good citizens of Chenango County."

Following Cutting's speech, over 50 members of law enforcement received an award or special recognition for their service to the Chenango County Community. The awards included 24 individuals were recognized for their length of service at the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, 19 individuals were recognized as new employees, 15 individuals received special recognition for exemplary work, and five who received formal agency commendations.

One individual who received special recognition was Chenango County Resident Russell Wark, said Cutting. "Wark was awarded a certificate of recognition for going above and beyond in extricating a woman who was trapped inside her overturned car after hitting a deer."

He said the Sergeant Michael R. Friot Award was established to honor the memory of Sgt. Friot and is given to a member of the Corrections Division who best exemplifies the dedication and professionalism of Sergeant Michael R. Friot.

The 2018 Sergeant Michael R. Friot Award was given to Corrections Officer Samuel Rifanburg.

Cutting added that the Joseph J. Benenati, Jr. Award was established to honor the memory of retired Sheriff Joseph J. Benenati, Jr, and is presented to a Sheriff’s Office member for outstanding dedication to the field of law enforcement and corrections.

The 2018 Joseph J. Benenati, Jr Award was presented to Deputy Chad O’Hara.

Cutting said other awards included patrol division and corrections division top guns. He said that in the patrol division, deputy Bret Bowen and deputy Nathan Warner received 249.75 points out of a maximum 250 points in their 2018 firearms qualifications, sergeant Dustin Smietana received 249.5 points, and deputy Anthony Lawrence received 249 points.

He added that in the corrections division, officer David Burdick received 249.5 points out of 250 points, officer Korbin Neudel received 249 points, and officer Daniel Gilmore received 247 points.