Traffic Safety Committee Minutes - January 14th, 2026

• Meeting Called to Order: 11: A.M.

• Roll Call:  Deputy Chief 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 Charles Dobson, Lake Placid 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)
  
  All present and accounted for. Director Tantalo excused.

  Leave of Absence: Chief (ret.) Joseph Sinagra, Saugerties PD
   

• Executive Session: 

  Chairman Georges requested the Traffic Safety Committee move to Executive Session. 1st: Chief Spaulding; 2nd: Chief Worden.

  
  Entered Executive Session: 11:03 AM/Return 11:06 A.M.

   

• Guests: No guests this meeting

• Approval of November 18, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes (No December meeting held):

1st:      Commissioner Jackson
2nd:    Chief Worden

• Old Business/Updates:
• NYS TAP Committee/DRE Issues:

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie stated there was nothing new to report for NYS TAP or DRE Issues. He informed the TSC regarding the GTSC program of issuing SoToxa™ Oral Fluid Mobile Test Systems at no cost for agencies that apply. Those interested must contact NYS DRE Coordinator Renee Borden at GTSC.
 

• Warning Tickets:

Chairman Georges updated the TSC members on the progress of the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team to secure a statewide Warning Ticket program through TraCS as well as the continued interest of NYSACOP members across the state re: developing a program.
 

• E-Bikes, Ride Outs, Dirt Bikes & ATVs:

Chairman Georges updated the TSC members on the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team involvement in this issue:

1. A presentation on E-Bikes and Micromobility Issues will be the Traffic Safety session at the 2026 NYSACOP Annual Conference in May. Deputy Chief Regina is slated as the presenter.

2. The NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team is working on a corresponding reference packet in relation to this presentation and will have it available for distribution after the presentation is completed at the Conference.

3. NYSACOP has been asked to deliver oral testimony regarding E-Bikes and E-Scooters at a public hearing of the NYS Assembly Committee on Transportation on January 22, 2026. Deputy Chief Regina accepted the invitation and will represent NYSACOP at the hearing.

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie discussed the current MV-104 reporting requirements when an E-Bike or E-Scooter is involved in a crash. There was corresponding discussion among the TSC members on best practices for ensuring proper documentation, with the general consensus being that 1st line supervisors should be held responsible for this task during report reviews. Chief Spaulding added that the TraCS system at her agency had just been updated and there are now dropdown boxes withing the MV104 reports addressing E-mobilities.

Deputy Chief Regina discussed the new E-Mobility Public Education program underway in Suffolk County, which he recently participated in, where he was part of a collaborative group that addressed the 9th and 10th grade student bodies of a local high school during an assembly designated specifically for this topic.
 

• Deadly Driving Bill:

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie briefed the TSC members on his recent attendance at the press conference and Legislative Symposium on Drugged Driving which was held December 10, 2025 in NYC. He stated it was very well attended and presented and explained the legislative strategies for advancing the Deadly Driving Bill moving forward.

Chairman Georges reminded the TSC members of NYSACOP’s previous involvement in this issue
and the standing letter of support endorsed by the NYSACOP Board of Governors.

• Traffic Safety Engagement and Crash Data Review:

Commissioner Jackson and Deputy Chief Regina discussed the continuing problem regarding fatal crashes involving both motorcycles and pedestrians on Long Island. They both stated their respective agency enforcement numbers are up, which is correlating to lower overall crash numbers, but that fatal crashes remain high.

Chairman Georges discussed the recent GTSC statewide press release, New York State Sees Sharp Drop in Fatal Crashes. He will distribute the release to the TSC members following this meeting.

• Outreach to Regional Chiefs of Police Associations: 

TSSC Denz briefed the TSC members on his recent attendance at the NE Chiefs regional meeting, WNY Chiefs regional meeting and the Erie County Chiefs regional meeting, all within the month of December 2025. TSC member Chief Dobson attended the NE Chiefs meeting as well.

• Outreach to NYSACOP Major City Chiefs:

Nothing to report.

• GTSC Update/Issues: 

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie advised the TSC members that the FY27 Grant Application notification should be out on or about March 1, 2026. He also briefed them on the on-going review process of FY26 grant recipients and denials, as well as the plans for on-site visits to municipal police departments to assist with their current and future grant management endeavors.

TSSC Denz reported that GTSC is now open to receiving FY26 claims and payout reimbursements. NYSACOP’s relationship with GTSC remains positive and the TS Team continues to work closely with them to assist in program delivery.

• NYSACOP Zone 6 Points of Contact Meeting, Albany Marriott Hotel, December 11, 2025:

TSSC Denz gave an overview of the meeting and briefed the TSC members on plans to hold future In-person POC meetings around the state.

TSOL Geraci informed the TSC members about the robust discussions that took place between the Zone 6 POCs in attendance at the Albany event and how fruitful the POC meetings have been that were held in the other zones.

• Other:

Nothing further.

• Upcoming Events:
• NYSACOP Zones 1 & 2 Points of Contact Meeting, Nassau Co. Police Academy, March 4, 2026:

Chairman Georges did an overview of this event.

• ESLETS Conference, tentatively scheduled for April 28 & 29, Saratoga, Springs, N.Y:

Chairman Georges did an overview of this event and informed the TSC Members that starting in 2027, ESLETS will be eliminated and merged into the NYS Highway Safety Symposium to create only one major statewide conference.

• NYSACOP/DCJS Police Executive Training Seminar, week of March 23rd, Albany Marriott Hotel, Colonie, N.Y:

Chairman Georges did an overview of this event.

• NYSACOP Annual Conference, May 18-21, 2026, Lake Placid, N.Y:

Chairman Georges did an overview of this event.

• New Business:
• Changes to NYS DMV Point System:

Chairman Georges discussed the fact that DMV conducted an informational session on this topic at the NYS Highway Safety Symposium last October, however, there is still no reference material available. The NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team will watch for something to come out “officially” and distribute it asap.

Deputy Chief Regina stated he received information that the official DMV “P” memo on this subject will be distributed in the near future.

• Courtroom Testimony Training:

Chairman Georges advised the TSC members that the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team met with the NYS TSRPs regarding this topic. The TSRPs agreed there is a lack of such training across the state, it is definitely a need which must be filled and they are willing to develop and present a course. Chairman Georges will keep the TSC posted of any future developments.

• MPTC Basic Course for Police Officers, Vehicle Stops & Traffic Enforcement Course:

Chairman Georges advised the TSC members that TSSC Denz and NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie have been appointed to the MPTC SME Panel for Vehicle Stops and Traffic Enforcement. This panel has been established to assist in the development of a new training curriculum to be rolled out in basic academy classes across the state. The panel has yet to meet, however TSSC Denz and NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie will keep the TSC members informed as this progresses.

• Traffic Safety Activities and Training Courses:

Chairman Georges did an overview of all traffic safety trainings currently posted.

• Other:

Chairman Georges reviewed a news article on the success that the Louisville, Kentucky Police Department has experienced with the increase in the PD’s traffic stops as it directly correlates to a significant decrease in crime.

Chairman Georges advised the TSC members of NYSP Traffic Services Major John Herrick’s promotion to Staff Inspector. His replacement is Major Rodger Kirsopp.

Chairman Georges congratulated Commissioner Jackson on his pending retirement and asked him if he would like to remain on the NYSACOP TSC after his retirement. Commissioner Jackson expressed his desire to remain on the committee and Chairman Georges requested a vote on the matter from the remaining TSC members. A motion was made by Chief Worden; 2nd by Chief Spaulding; and the vote was unanimous to retain Commissioner Jackson as a TSC member.

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

Chairman Georges suggested having the TSRPs as guests at a future meeting and encouraged the TSC members to suggest any partners/guests they would like to have.

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

Chairman Georges encouraged the TSC members to consider topics for future articles.

• Other:

Nothing further.

• Next Meeting:

• Motion to Adjourn:

1st:  Chief Spaulding
2nd:  Chief Dobson