Guilderland Police History Timeline

 

 

 

The Guilderland Police Department was formed in 1971 and has grown to over 40 members. The following is a timeline of events in the history of the Guilderland Police Department. We will update this timeline as necessary.

 

 

- 1971 - Under the direction of Town Supervisor Carl Walters, and a three member committee, the Town Board votes to create a police force in Guilderland. The Guilderland Community Police are formed.

 

 

- August 1971 - R. Robert Byers, a former Albany Police Department Sergeant in charge of it's Narcotic Enforcement Unit is named Chief of Police, which pays a $9100.00 salary.

 

 

 - February 28, 1972 - The town hired it's first six police officers, Guy F. Comperetta, James R. Murley, Thomas W. Gagnier, Raymond T. Pachucki, Charles M. Harris and Alan R. Andres. They are hired off the Albany County Civil Service List, that 300 applicants took.

 

 

- April 21, 1971 - The new Guilderland Police Officers graduated a 6 week Municipal Police Training Council School in the Guilderland Fire Hall on Route 20 along with approximately 40 other newly appointed officers from the Metroland area.

- February 1972 - Department moved into the newly built Town Hall on Route 20 just west of McCormick's Corners where an Emergency Control Center was established providing a 24 hour answering center for calls -May 1, 1972 - Department sets off on it's First day of patrol, May 1, 1972, where two officers begin the day shift 10 am to 6 pm, and two worked 5pm to 1am. The calls received after 1 am up to 10 a.m. were still answered at the Guilderland Dispatch Center by dispatchers who were on 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The dispatchers would turn over calls to the State Police during those times no Guilderland Police Officer was on.

- ALSO IN 1972 - The town purchased it’s first three patrol cars, which included a station wagon. The wagon was rigged with all the necessary emergency equipment as well as two stretchers so it could be used as an ambulance in an emergency. The town seal and motto, "Prospice Gelria", meaning "Look Forward Guilderland" was be affixed to patrol cars, as well as the department's patch. The Uniform colors were designated, powder green shirts, black knit ties, dark green blouses and trousers, and officers were issued .357 revolvers.

- February 1973 - Officer James Murley is appointed Acting Police Chief by the Town Board, after Chief Byers steps down.

 

 

- ALSO IN 1973 - Uniform Patch and door seals changed from "Guilderland Community Police" to "Guilderland Police"

 

 

- August 5, 1975 - Department's Juvenile Aid program begins in the schools. Guilderland students learn about stranger danger, are introduced to police puppet shows and meet "Ben The Bicycle"

 

 

- January 13, 1976 - 'Acting' Chief becomes 'Chief' after Guilderland Town Board took "Acting" from his title, and gave him a vote of confidence.

 

 

- February 10, 1976 - Officer Al Andres is promoted to Sergeant becoming the first to hold the position.
 

- ALSO IN 1976 - Police department expands work time to operating 21 hours a day. Patrols will start at 8 am and end at 5 am leaving 3 hours not covered that will be handled by State Police.        
 

- February 10, 1976 - Officer Al Andres is promoted to Sergeant, becoming the first to hold the position.
 

- April 25, 1977 - The town formally begins the Town Arson Unit, member are Robert Perry and Officer Douglas M. Laremore. The unit however existed for nearly 2 years before being made official.
 

- 1982 - Officer Douglas A. Laremore promoted to Sergeant, filling a vacant position left by Officer Al Andres. Andres had left the department to seek other employment but later returns.
 

- March 28, 1983 - Officer Carol J. Lawlor begins the Guilderland Police Mounted Patrol, Officer Timothy J. Adamczak later joins.
 

- 1986 - The department began it's Police - Paramedic program in which police officers were hired that also were certified paramedics. The officers needed the Paramedic certification to get hired, and had to keep the certification current to keep their jobs. The idea of the Police - Medic program was that the police officers, also certified paramedics who were out on patrol could respond to medical calls quickly. The program was a great success and saw the hiring of upwards to six officers - medics between 1986 and 1990.
 

- January 16, 1987 - Officers Carol J. Lawlor, and Mary A. Schmitz promoted to Sergeants.

 

 

- ALSO IN 1987 - Department begins W.E.A.P. Unit (Weight Enforcement Assistance Program), Sgt. Douglas A. Laremore and Officer Alan R. Andres are first members in unit. The unit focused on enforcement of commercial vehicle laws. Unit formed through grant money.

- ALSO IN 1987 - With enough officers, and a large call volume, the department expanded it's hours to 24 hours seven days a week.
 

- 1988 - Department patch is redesigned to the current patch. Colors are taken from the Town of Guilderland Flag.
 

- June 12, 1990 - Officer Mark R. Jones promoted to Sergeant, Sergeants now total 3.
 

- ALSO IN 1990 - Mobile command center acquired providing a back up, and mobile dispatch center able to respond to scenes of emergencies.
 

- ALSO IN 1990 - Traffic Safety Unit formed with two full time officers dedicated to it. Unit formed through grant Money.
 

- 1991 - Town Fire Investigation (former Arson Unit) expands. The members now include two Guilderland Police officers, Daniel P. McNally and Brian K. Forte.
 

- December 1991 - Laura Simpkins becomes first dispatcher to retire from the department after 20 years.
 

- January 1992 - K-9 Unit formed, Officer Dean Spadaro named first K-9 handler, "Dutch" a rottweiler is donated to the department.
 

- February 1992 - Officer Charles M. Harris becomes first officer to retire from the department after 20 years.
 

- December 1, 1993 - Officer John F. Tashjian named departments first investigator.
 

- ALSO IN 1993 - Department upgrades from carrying revolvers to the Smith & Wesson .45 Caliber Automatics.
 

- ALSO IN 1993 - Bicycle Patrol Unit formed.
 

- ALSO IN 1993 - Patrol cars markings change from Green/White with Town seal to black/white.

 

 

- ALSO IN 1993 - Guilderland Police opens substation in Crossgates Mall.
 

- December 24, 1994 - Officer Curtis A. Cox promoted to Sergeant bringing the total number of Sergeants to 4.
 

- ALSO IN 1994 - Enhanced 9-1-1 begins in Albany County. Guilderland becomes one of 5 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPS) to go online.
 

- ALSO IN 1994 - Department CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) goes online.
 

- June 6, 1995 - Officer William H. Ward named departments second Investigator bringing the departments Detective Division to 2 members.
 

- December 3, 1997 - Investigator William H. Ward promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
 

- December 23, 1997 - As part of Chief Murley's restructuring plan, the Town Board votes unanimously to the following promotions, creating two Lieutenant positions, a First Sergeant position back filling the former Sergeants positions.
1. Sergeant Carol Lawlor promoted to rank of Lieutenant.
2. Sergeant Mark Jones promoted to rank of Lieutenant.
3. Sergeant Curt Cox promoted to rank of First Sergeant.
4. Officer Dan McNally promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
5. Investigator Bill Ward promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
6. Officer Glenn Stevens promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
7. Officer Brian Forte promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
 

- ALSO IN 1997 - Department purchases Community Outreach trailer via grant.
 

- ALSO IN 1997 - Juvenile Aid Bureau name changed to Youth Services Division.
 

- ALSO IN 1997 - Police - Paramedic program completely phased out as civilian medic program had grown substantially. Police - Medics absorbed into the police department.

 

 

- January 2, 1998 - Incoming Town Board votes 3-2 in favor of demoting all Officers promoted on December 23, 1997, citing concerns over funding for officers salaries.

- January 18, 1998 - K-9 "Dutch" dies, a ceremony in his honor are held at the Guilderland Town Hall with K-9's in attendance from around the Capital Region. Department without K-9.
 

- April 21, 1998 - Dispatcher Gina Spadaro is appointed to newly created Senior Telecommunicator position.
 

- April 28, 1998 - Officer Daniel P. McNally promoted to Investigator..
 

- May 15, 1998 - Officer Thomas H. Funk is appointed as Evidence Tech/Warrant Control Officer. A newly created position.

- ALSO IN 1998 - School Resource Officer program begins, two officers are assigned to Guilderland Schools, Officers Brian K. Forte and Roger A. Ginder are first School Resource Officers.
 

- January 12, 1999 - Department acquires K-9 “Niko”, a 15 month old German Shepherd, Officer Donald Jones named K-9 Handler.
 

- July 1999 - Department gets first three Mobil Data Terminals in police units
 

- January 1, 2000 - Incoming Town Board votes 3-2 to restoring the following officers to their previously held ranks.
1. Sergeant Carol J. Lawlor restored to Lieutenant
2. Sergeant Curtis A. Cox restored to First Sergeant.
3. Investigator Daniel P. McNally restored to Sergeant.
4. Officer Glenn W. Stevens restored to Sergeant.
5. Officer Brian K. Forte restored to Sergeant.
 

- August 1, 2000 - Officer Emanual B. Shulman assigned as Investigator.
 

- September 11, 2000 - Officer Thomas H. Funk assigned as Investigator and Evidence and Warrant Officer.
 

- December 22, 2000 - First Sergeant Curtis A. Cox promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and Sergeant William H. Ward promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.

 

 

- December 11, 2001 - Officer Gary W. Lee promoted to Sergeant.
 

- February 18, 2005 - Officer Adam S. Myers promoted to Sergeant.
 

- May 25, 2005 - Officer David J. Romano promoted to Investigator. Investigator John F. Tasjhian promoted to Senior Investigator.
 

- December 2005 - Lieutenant Carol J. Lawlor promoted to Deputy Chief of Police.

 

 

- April 2007 - Department changes from green and tan uniforms to black.
 

- April 27, 2007 - Chief James R. Murley retires, Deputy Chief Carol J. Lawlor named Acting Chief of Police.

 

 

- June 14, 2007 - Sergeant Daniel P. McNally promoted to Lieutenant.

 

 

- June 19, 2007 - Investigator Emanual B. Shulman promoted to the rank of Technical First Sergeant. Officer Donald Jones promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Officers Brian K. Forte and Dean A. Spadaro elevated to Senior Patrolman.

 

 

- June 20, 2007 - Officer Charles B. Tanner III assigned as an Investigator.

 

 

- August 27, 2007 - K-9 "Niko" passes away following a short battle with cancer.

 

 

- October 1, 2007 - Officer Kenneth M. Harrison assigned as Investigator and Evidence and Warrants Officer.

 

 

- September 2007 - Department obtains new puppy to continue it's K-9 program. The K-9 is named "Rocky" by Farnsworth Middle School students, and will begin it's training once it reached one year of age.

 

 

- March 7, 2008 - Officer Eric H. Batchelder is promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

 

 

- June 6, 2008 - Deputy Chief Carol J. Lawlor promoted and sworn in as Chief of Police.

 

 

- June 18, 2008 - Lieutenant Curtis A. Cox promoted to Captain.

 

 

- November 1, 2008 - Investigator Thomas H. Funk named Senior Investigator.

 

 

- December 16, 2008 - Officer Roger A. Ginder promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

 

 

- September 2009 - Department receives accreditation which is granted to a limited number of police agencies statewide that have demonstrated proficiency in a total of 130 standards in the areas of administration, training, and operations.

 

 

- December 2, 2009 - Officer Carl G. Duda promoted to the rank of Sergeant.