• Meeting Called to Order – 9:30 AM

• Roll Call:  Chief Joseph Sinagra, Saugerties PD, 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, Chief (ret.) Daniel Denz, West Seneca PD (NYSACOP Traffic Safety Services Coordinator), Chief (ret.) Michael Geraci, Schenectady PD (NYSACOP TSOL), Assistant Chief (ret.) William Georges, Albany PD (NYSACOP TSOL & TSC Chairman).

All present and accounted for (Chief Worden via telephone).

Chairman Georges welcomed and congratulated Chief William J. Worden, MPA, Port Jervis PD regarding his appointment as a Member of the Traffic Safety Committee. The committee unanimously recommended him for appointment at the April 12, 2023, TSC meeting and he was subsequently appointed to the Committee by NYSACOP President, Chief Kevin Sylvester on April 24, 2023.

• Approval of April 12, 2023, Committee Meeting Minutes:

1st: Chief Sinagra
2nd : Director Tantalo

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

Inspector Regina stated that there was nothing new to report. He did state that there are now over 400 certified DREs in the state.

Chairman Georges related that there are 2 new DRE Courses posted for September and October at the Herkimer College Police Academy, with Phase II in be conducted in Jacksonville, Florida.

Chief Spaulding asked if anyone had information on mutual aid agreements re: DRE service sharing. TSSC Denz related that the DRE mutual aid policy in Erie County is handled by the Erie County STOP DWI Coordinator and suggested that Chief Spaulding contact Renee Borden to get further guidance.

• Cannabis Update:

Chief Sinagra reported the NYS Control Board (CCB) is in the process of establishing an enforcement division comprised of certified Peace Officers to handle all violations related to cannabis distribution rules. Penalties for violations will all be civil and not criminal in nature. He further related that local law enforcement agencies may be asked to assist with CCB investigations but are not mandated to do so.

Chief Sinagra also addressed the continuing problem with loopholes in the laws re: legalized cannabis and the new cannabis seltzers now available on the market. Because these seltzers are legal, it will be difficult to pursue disciplinary action on officers who test positive for THC during random drug testing.

Chainman Georges asked Chief Sinagra if there was any type of Field Guide available, or being developed, by the CCB to give officers a reference tool as to what they can and cannot do when it comes to the enforcement of cannabis issues. Chief Sinagra stated there currently is not and then there was subsequent discussion as to whether NYSACOP should investigate developing a Field Guide on its own.

TSOL Geraci suggest that NYSACOP consider sending a Letter of Concern to the CCB regarding all of these issues; Chairman Georges stated he would ask the NYSACOP Board of Governors their opinion at the next BOG meeting.

• Coalition Against Big Trucks (CABT) Update:

Chief Sinagra related that there was nothing new to report. Chairman Georges briefly discussed the letters of support that were constructed and distributed by Chief Sinagra and copies of those letters were sent to the TSC members.

• Oral Fluid Testing:

Chairman Georges reported that there is a cluster of municipal agencies in the Syracuse area that are currently using oral fluid testing devices. The NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team is in the process of contacting those agencies and asking them to participate in a Zoom meeting to discuss their individual experiences and policies so NYSACOP can research the possibility of developing a best practices initiative as it relates to the use of this emerging technology within NYS. Chairman Georges invited the TSC members to participate and he will forward further information as this endeavor proceeds. Chairman Georges also briefly discussed the NYSACOP email blast regarding Oral Fluid Testing that went out May 8, 2023.

• Massachusetts Mandatory Cannabis Impaired Driving Curriculum:

Chairman Georges reported that he is continuing to follow up on crafting a position statement on the AAA Cannabis Impaired Driving Curriculum, which is now mandatory in Massachusetts, as was previously discussed and requested by the TSC.

• Johns Hopkins University Project: Innovative Approaches to Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety

TSOL Geraci reported on the 2nd webinar hosted by Johns Hopkins on April 17, 2023, which was primarily focused on 1st line supervisors and their responsibilities for traffic safety initiatives. Both TSOL Geraci and Chairman Georges agreed that this 2nd webinar was not as informative as the previous webinar; updates to follow as this program continues to unfold.

• DCJS Public Safety Symposium, September 25 – 28, 2023, Albany, N.Y:

TSSC Denz stated that there was nothing new to report. Still waiting to hear if the presentation was approved or not. Notifications should come out soon.

• Coalition to Protect New Yorkers from Drugged Driving:

Chairman Georges stated there was nothing new to report.

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

Chairman Georges reported that the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team will be conducting a Traffic Safety Executive Leadership training session with the Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police on June 6, 2023. He also stated that the Major City Chiefs will be meeting at the NYSACOP Conference in July, and we will try to address the Chiefs who attend that breakout session.

• GTSC Update/Issues: 

Chairman Georges gave an update on the status of the FY23 grant, the status of FY24 grant proposal submission, and reported on his visit to GTSC offices on May 8, 2023.

• Traffic Safety Engagement and Equity in Enforcement Programs:

Chairman Georges stated that there was nothing new to report.

• New Business:
• New York State Law Enforcement Recognition Event:

Chairman Georges reported on the MADD N.Y./GTSC/STOP DWI Law Enforcement Recognition Event which was held in Albany on May 2nd and shared copies of the event program/agenda with the TSC members.

• Automated Speed Enforcement in Work Zones:

Chairman Georges engaged the TSC members in a discussion on the new DOT program of automated speed enforcement in work zones. Discussion was held re: how it operates, who is responsible for data and fine collections, and the related penalties for violations.

• Questions on DMV Accident Reports/MV104s:

TSSC Denz discussed the different MV104 forms that need to be filed with DMV. He related that during a State Highway Strategic Planning Committee he attended, he discovered there is an obscure form: MV104n, that must be filed by anyone involved in a serious personal injury or fatal bicycle accident, which does not involve a motor vehicle. TSSC Denz discussed this with the TSC members, and it was decided that because it is a civilian report, and not a mandated form to be filed by law enforcement, the TSC would only retain it for informational purposes for the time being, and TSSC Denz would discuss distribution of the form further with the GTSC Program Managers.

• Legislative Issues of Interest:

Chairman Georges reviewed a list of pending bills currently moving their way through the 2023/2024 legislative process for TSC informational purposes.

• Traffic Safety Activities and Training Courses:

Chairman Georges discussed a listing of posted traffic safety trainings available and acknowledged Chief Sinagra’s recent press interview regarding his Lights On program.

• Other:

Chairman Georges briefly discussed the recent webinar hosted by Lexipol regarding pursuit policies.

• Follow-up Activities/Assignments:
• Schedule re: Future TSC Meetings

Chairman Georges inquired as to the interest of the TSC Members regarding future meeting dates and venues. After discussion, it was unanimously decided to hold the next two meetings in- person meetings, one at 3:00 P.M. on June 8, 2023, in Albany during the NYSACOP Board of Governors meeting, and the other in July during the NYSACOP Conference.

• TSC Meetings with Traffic Safety Partners/Guests:

Inspector Regina is going to extend an invitation to Dr. Lisa Patierne to attend the June 8, 2023 TSC Meeting in Albany and present her program called “Guarding the Guardians”.

• NYSACOP TSC – Recruitment, Diversity and Succession Plan:

Chairman Georges discussed whether there was a need to develop a plan in the event that the FY24 GTSC grant proposal in denied or significantly restructured, thereby altering the current TSC, TSSC and TSOL functions. This topic will be discussed further at future TSC meetings.

• Topics for “Intersections” and podcasts including guest contributors: (All)

Director Tantalo confirmed that Monroe County STOP DWI Coordinator Lindsay Tomidy is in the process of writing an article for an upcoming “Intersections” regarding the Monroe County “Drive to be Better” initiative. She was waiting until after the ESLETS Conference to finish the article, so she can include information on the presentation she conducted there.

• Other:

Nothing further at this time.

• Date of Next Meeting:
• June 8, 2023, 3:00 P.M. at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Albany, 216 Wolf Road, Colonie, N.Y. 12205.

• Motion to Adjourn:

1st: Chief Spaulding
2nd: Chief Worden