CGR hired to help with law enforcement study in Orleans

ALBION – A steering committee studying law enforcement services in Orleans County picked the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester as a consultant on the project.

CGR will be be paid about $74,000 for its work over the next year, presenting options for how law enforcement could best be provided in the future, whether with the current model of three village police department plus the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office or perhaps a full takeover with the county providing the service without the village police.

“We will be looking at multiple options,” said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.

Transitioning from village police departments to a county-only model would require several public referendums. Nesbitt said the committee may consider a phased in approach.

The committee wants to keep the public aware of the initiative, and get feedback from the community, Nesbitt said.

There has already been efforts by law enforcement agencies to share, including Albion and Holley using the same police chief with Roland Nenni.

There may be opportunities for joint training, shared equipment and other projects. CGR will work with the local law enforcement agencies collecting data on services, and will analyze ways for the service to best be provided in the future. The firm has a May 2017 to complete the report.

CGR has done many studies for shared services and consolidation of government agencies, including the report that looked how the Village of Medina could be dissolved.

The steering committee for the law enforcement study includes four village mayors – Dean London of Albion, Brian Sorochty of Holley, John Belson of Lyndonville and Michael Sidari of Medina; Orleans County legislators John Defilipps, Lynne Johnson and David Callard, who are members of the county’s Public Safety Committee; Police chiefs Roland Nenni of Albion and Holley, and Chad Kenward of Medina (represented during Wednesday’s meeting by Lt. Todd Draper); Sheriff Randy Bower; County Chief Administrative Officer Chuck Nesbitt; union representatives including Jeff Gifaldi of the OC Deputies’ Association, Dave Mogle for the Albion police, and Brian Marsceill of the Medina police; and community members, Cindy Robinson (president of the Medina Business Association) and Dan Monacelli (principal of the Albion Middle School).

A state grant for $36,000 was approved for the law enforcement shared service and efficiency study. The county is paying the other $38,000.