Medina Police Advisory Committee members see benefits in group, urge feedback from public

Editor:

I would like to introduce our community to the newly formed Medina Police Advisory Committee. We are a group of community members chosen by the Medina Village Board to serve on the committee and our mission is to act as a liaison between the Village Board, the community, the Police Department and other interested parties in an effort to assist all parties by presenting a professional police force while being mindful of taxpayer expenditures.

This committee was formed at the recommendation of the Committee on Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative. We encourage residents of Medina to reach out to us with questions, comments, suggestions or issues regarding community policing. We are here to help facilitate and encourage positive interactions between our Police Department and the community. Our email address is medinapoliceadvisorycommitteeffigmail.com. Or, feel free to reach out to any of our committee members.

1. Chad Kenward, Medina Police Department, Chief of Police: “I am in my 19th year with the Medina Police Department as an officer, and for the past 6 years, as the Chief of Police. I also served as SRO in the Medina School District for 8 years. I was a member on the original Committee on Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative that created the Police Advisory Committee. Being on this committee, it is my hope to continue the ideals presented by the initial committee to promote a healthy environment regarding police and community relations; making Medina a better place to live.”
2. Todd Draper, Medina Police Department, Lieutenant.: “I am in my 19th year at MPD. I was previously a K-9 handler and still stay involved in the program as a maintenance trainer. I also oversee our department’s training to include providing instruction in many areas including Firearms, Taser, Spike Strips and Emergency Vehicle Operations. Recently, I graduated from a 10-week leadership training course at the National Academy, hosted by the FBI. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. We enjoy camping, sports and being outside. I have been an assistant coach in many local sports including football and baseball and am actively involved as a Scout leader. I was born and raised in Medina and graduated from Medina High School. I am an Army Veteran and was deployed to Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. My involvement with the Reform and Police Advisory Committees are due to my position at the MPD but I believe strongly in the work we are doing. I feel that the law enforcement community and the public need to grow together instead of moving apart.”
3. Jovannie Canales, Paster/Spiritual Leader, Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ A.G.: “I am a Hispanic pastor/spiritual leader in this beautiful Village of Medina. As a member of the Police Advisory Committee, I have the opportunity to work with other members and the Police Department in finding effective ways to communicate information to the public. We also work together to brainstorm ideas for community policing that will increase the department’s presence in our community. As a Hispanic/minority, I am beyond blessed to be a part of this committee. It is an honor to be a voice that bridges the gap in our village while promoting a healthy relationship between the MPD and our community members.”
4. Danielle Figura, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Director of Orleans County Department of Mental Health: “I have worked in Orleans County for the past eight years and recently relocated to the Village of Medina from the Buffalo area to live in the community I work in. I look forward to bringing my professional background along with my personal interests to the Medina Police Advisory Committee while building and promoting relationships between our local law enforcement officers and our community.”
5. Debbie Fuller, Co-owner of Pudgie’s Veggies and 25-year public service employee: “I have made a career out of service to the public sector in several criminal justice agencies and have a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration with a concentration in Leadership and Staff Development. I joined this committee because I wanted to give back to my community by using my education and experience in the criminal justice field to help build positive community/police relations.”
6. Jessica Marciano, Member of the Medina Village Board: “l moved to Medina with my wife in 2017, and we now have a 3-year-old daughter. I am passionate about connecting the community with the resources available to it, and this includes fostering a relationship between the police department and ail residents. With this committee, I am working to develop and support opportunities to have productive dialogue. This is a special community and I am excited to be a part of the growth that will take place from this endeavor.”
7. Jacquie Chinn, Owner of Lyric & Lizzy Boutique and Lyncoln Bears & Buddies: “As a business owner, I am invested in the prosperity of our community and the people in it. I served on the initial Committee on Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative and wanted to continue working to build community/police relations by serving on the Police Advisory Committee. I believe it takes a Village to raise our children and am committed to creating a safe community for all residents. We need our police and our police need us.”
8. Donnell Holloway: “I was born and raised in Medina graduating from Medina High School, then, obtained my Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Brockport. I currently work as a Production Supervisor at Tesla and live in Medina with my 2 children. I love our community and want to be a part of the direction we are going in. The Police Advisory Committee provides a great opportunity to do just that. We work hand-in-hand with members of the Medina PD finding creative ways to improve community policing, be a voice for the community and plan events that allow for members of the community to interact with members of the Police force. Every town should have a police advisory committee and it’s an honor to be a part of the only active one in the area.”
9. Heather Jackson, Senior Probation Officer at Orleans County Probation: “I have worked in Orleans County for 14 years and feel my professional background is helpful in giving me different perspectives from ail of the agencies I interact with. I graduated from Medina High School, and after 10 years in the Air Force on Active Duty, I returned to Medina and completed my enlistment as a Reservist retiring in 2016. I have been an active member of the community through a variety of programs to include Boy Scouts, AYSO, Little League, One Church, Powder Puff, Medina Marching Band and the Medina/Lyndonville plays. I joined the Police Advisory Committee to help improve the relationship between law enforcement and the community. I feel that working together will be essential to bettering that relationship and I am happy to be a part of it.”
10. Mark Kruzynski, Superintendent, Medina Central School District: “I have worked with the schools for over 20 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, business official and now as superintendent. I also served on the Medina Village Board for 4 years, where I was the liaison from the board to the police department. I am serving on this advisory committee to help continue building strong community relationships between the police department and everyone in the village of Medina.”
11. Christian Navas, Sergeant, Medina Police Department: “I am in my 6th year with the Medina Police Department. Prior to this position, I was a part-time Correctional Officer at the Orleans County Jail. I am honored to have been sent to training such as Principled Policing (a course in Community Policing), Instructor Development School, and most recently the Police Supervision course when I was promoted to Sergeant. I have lived in the Village of Medina since 2005. I graduated from Medina High School in 2007 and I am now raising my family here. I believe I was asked to become a member of this committee due to both being a resident as well as my role in law enforcement in this same community. My goal being on this committee is to help bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement in this area.”

The Medina Police Advisory Committee will be sponsoring events throughout the year to help bring the community and the Police Department together. If you or your organization are interested in engaging in dialogue promoting community/police relations or have an event that you would like us to appear at, please contact us via our email.

We are also interested in adding a few more members to our committee. If you share our passion for the community and want to help build a positive community/police relationship, please forward your letter of interest and a brief work history or resume to medinapoliceadvisorycommittee@gmail.com.

Respectfully submitted by,

Medina Police Advisory Committee – Chad Kenward, Todd Draper, Jovannie Canales, Danielle Figura, Debbie Fuller, Jessica Marciano, Jacquie Chinn, Donnell Holloway, Heather Jackson, Mark Kruzynski and Christian Navas