• Meeting Called to Order: 11:00 A.M.

• Roll Call:  Inspector David Regina, Suffolk County PD, Director of Public Safety Richard Tantalo, Monroe County, Chief Kenzie Spaulding, Corning PD, Chief William Worden, Port Jervis PD, Commissioner Kenneth Jackson, Garden City PD, Chief (ret.) Daniel Denz, West Seneca PD (NYSACOP Traffic Safety Services Coordinator), Chief (ret.) Michael Geraci, Schenectady PD (NYSACOP TSOL), Director, Training & Administration (ret.) Frank Galerie, NYS Attorney General’s Office (NYSACOP GTSC LEL), Assistant Chief (ret.) William Georges, Albany PD (NYSACOP TSOL & TSC Chairman)

• Guests: No guests this meeting

• Approval of March 20, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes:

1st:      Chief Worden
2nd:     Commissioner Jackson

• Updates/Status on Previous Agenda Topics/Events:
• NYS TAP Committee/DRE Issues:

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie stated that there is nothing new to report.

• Oral Fluid Testing:

Chairman Georges reported on GTSC purchasing oral fluid roadside testing devices and distributing them to a select number of agencies across the State.

Inspector Regina informed the TSC Members that Suffolk County PD is one of those agencies and they will be starting a pilot program in the near future.

• Legislative Update (Deadly Driving Bill & NYS Senate #3662):

Chairman Georges reported that the Deadly Driving Bill will not be included in the NYS Budget process. He added that ADA Maureen McCormick is still actively working to advance this bill as a stand-alone piece of legislation.

Chairman Georges also reported that there has been no progress on Senate Bill #3662, either in the budget process or as a stand-alone legislative initiative and also that it appears the e-filing procedure initiative will be approved.

• NHTSA/Johns Hopkins University National LEL Academy Project:

Chairman Georges reported on the progress of the project and the status of the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team’s continuing involvement.

• Warning Tickets Update:

Chairman Georges updated the committee on the potential of getting a standardized warning ticket placed into the TrACS system for statewide use.

Inspector Regina reported that Suffolk County PD is working on a warning ticket system and will be initiating a pilot program within one of the SCPD precincts. He will gather more information on the project and report back to the TSC at the next meeting.

Chairman Georges asked the TSC Members if they would support a request that the NYSACOP Board draft a letter asking the NYSP to develop and rollout a Warning Ticket program in TrACS to be used statewide. Chief Spaulding made a motion to support that initiative; the motion was seconded by Chief Worden and unanimously approved by the TSC. Chairman Georges will approach the NYSACOP Board at the June Board meeting and make the request on behalf of the TSC.

• Traffic Safety Engagement and Crash Data Review:

Chief Spaulding stated that she had seen a posting for the Bicycle, E-Bike & E-Scooter Training for Law Enforcement being given by the NY Bicycle Collation, in Goshen, NY and asked if there would be one held upstate in the future. TSSC Denz stated that he is currently working with GTSC Program Manager Patricia Burke to try to arrange that. He will keep the TSC posted of any developments.

Commissioner Jackson reported that motorcycle crash fatalities on Long Island continue to increase as the weather has gotten warmer. Inspector Regina concurred with the Commissioner’s assessment.

Chairman Georges reported that the NYS Motorcycle Safety Program has received their funding to operate through 2025.

• Outreach to Regional Chiefs of Police Associations & Major City Chiefs: 

Chairman Georges informed the committee of the Traffic Safety Team’s plans to host an in-person NYSACOP Zone 10 Traffic Safety Points of Contact meeting on June 5, 2025, in Cheektowaga, NY. He also reported that he contacted the NYSACOP Board representative for the SUNY Chiefs and offered assistance with any traffic safety issues that the SUNY Chiefs may encounter.

TSSC Denz informed Commissioner Jackson that NYSACOP Director Phelan and he will be attending the Annual Joint Nassau/Suffolk Chiefs’ Meeting on June 18th, as they did last year, and thanked Commissioner Jackson for the invitation to do so.

• GTSC Update/Issues: 

Chairman Georges reported on the Traffic Safety Team’s in-person meeting with DMV Deputy Commissioner Mary Tanner-Richter which occurred during the ESLETS Conference.

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie reminded TSC Members that the FY26 GTSC Grant Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2025. Chairman Georges reported that the NYSACOP grant has been submitted.

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie reported on the status of a 5-year grant GTSC received from NHTSA for developing and implementing a new curriculum for NYS basic training academies for entry police officers regarding vehicle stops. He also thanked Inspector Regina for providing information on a fatal struck-by crash involving a tow truck operator which occurred in Suffolk County which he forwarded to the NYS TIMS Committee for review.

TSSC Denz reported that the GTSC Finance Department continues to be very efficient and has NYSACOP reimbursements completely up to date. TSOL Geraci polled the TSC Members on their individual experience with GTSC Finance and all reported very favorable intersections.

• NYSACOP New Chiefs Training: Niagara Falls, N.Y., week of March 24th, 2025:

Chairman Georges reported on the Traffic Safety Executive Leadership module he and TSSC Denz conducted at this training and stated that he was very pleased at the high marks submitted on the attendees’ surveys.

• 2025 ESLETS Conference, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Syracuse, N.Y., April 9 & 10, 2025:

Chairman Georges reported on the Conference. Chief Worden stated that he thought it was very well conducted and asked if he could request funding in his FY26 GTSC Grant Application to be dedicated to cover his attendance next year, to which TSSC Denz affirmed applicants could do.

• Other:

Chairman Georges also updated the TSC Members on his research into NYS VTL 1994. He reported that although Section 1194 remains active in the NYS VTL, all of the penalties that were attached to this law have been removed. Technically, an officer can still issue a summons however, there is no enforceable action that a court can take against a driver who receives a summons for section 1194.

• Upcoming Events:

• NYS Law Enforcement Recognition Awards, Albany Capital Center, April 30, 2025:

Chairman Georges reported that TSSC Denz is on the awards selection committee for this event and will be attending to represent NYSACOP.

• NYSACOP Annual Conference, The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, Monticello, N.Y., July 13-16, 2025:

Chairman Georges updated the TSC on the current planning status of this event and the registration process.

• IACP Impaired Driving & Traffic Safety Conference, August 4-6, 2025, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL:

Chairman Georges informed the TSC of this training opportunity and that he may attend.

• DCJS Public Safety Symposium, Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, N.Y., September 16-18, 2025:

Chairman Georges informed the TSC of this training opportunity

• New York State Highway Safety Symposium, Lake Ontario Event & Conference Center, Oswego, N.Y., October 14-17, 2025:

Chairman Georges informed the TSC of this training opportunity and the Traffic Safety Team’s scheduled presentation at the event.

• New Business:

• Street Cop Training:

• Traffic Safety Activities and Training Courses:

Chairman Georges reported on the list Traffic Safety training courses currently available.

• Other:

Chief Spaulding reported on a DWI case in her jurisdiction involving a foreign national who claimed to not be able to speak English. The officer used a language translation app that was downloaded onto the subject’s personal cellphone to assist during the arrest process and the Defense is making a motion in court to dismiss the arrest based on the officer’s use of that translation app. She asked the other TSC Members if they had experienced any similar situation.

Chief Worden stated his department uses the Guardian Translator software program. Inspector Regina said SCPD uses live language interpreters and if none are available, SCPD contracts with a language interpreter service called Language Line. Chief Spaulding thanked them for their collective input, and mentioned she researched some of those services, along with a product provided by AXON as an attachment to the AXON body camera system.

Chairman Georges and TSOL Geraci both suggested this case be referred to NYS TSRP Solek for her input, and asked TSSC Denz to make the referral. Once Chief Spaulding collects the full background on this specific case and forwards the information to TSSC Denz, he will contact TSRP Solek.

Chairman Georges discussed the new NYSDOT Work Zone Safety PSA. He advised the TSC Members he would forward the link and encouraged them to view it.

Chairman Georges discussed the most recent DMV “P” memo re: charter buses and the new safety restraint mandates contained therein.

• Follow-up Activities/Assignments:
• TSC Meetings with Traffic Safety Partners/Guests:

Chairman Georges discussed the possibility of inviting the TSRPs to be guests at a future TSC meeting.

• Topics for “Intersections” , podcasts, etc., including guest contributors:

Chairman Georges encouraged the TSC Members to consider contributing an article or finding a guest subject matter expert to write an article in the future.

• Other:

Nothing further to report.

• Next Meeting:

• Motion to Adjourn:

1st:     Chief Worden
2nd:    Chief Spaulding