• Meeting Called to Order: 3:50 P.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 (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. Deputy Chief Regina and Chief Worden via conference call.

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

• Guests: No guests this meeting

• Special Acknowledgment: Chairman Georges congratulated Deputy Chief Regina on his recent promotion.

• Approval of August 20th, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes:

1st:      Chief Spaulding
2nd:     Commissioner Jackson

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

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie reported that there will be a meeting of the Impaired Drivers Council October 03, 2025 and the next meeting for the NYS TAP Committee will be held in Lake Placid November 04, 2025. He further relayed that the next DRE Training will start September 29, 2025.

• Warning Tickets:

Chairman Georges reported that the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team was scheduled to meet with the NYSP today to further discuss the possibilities of advancing this project but the meeting had to be canceled due to a funeral of a deceased Division member. Chairman Georges will keep the TSC members abreast of any progress made once the meeting is re-scheduled.

TSOL Geraci stated that he was advised of difficulties NYSP members are having with the implementation of their new RMS system provided by NICHE which may have resulted in a decrease in issuing UTTs. NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie has received reports that the new system is cumbersome and not as user friendly as TrACS. Chairman Georges will contact NICHE to discuss the issues that have been brought up.

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

Chairman Georges thanked Deputy Chief Regina for sharing his E-Bike training PowerPoint and copies of the Suffolk County Ordinances re: street take-overs with the TSC.

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie reported that on September 24, 2025, TSOL Geraci, TSSC Denz and he attended the new NYS E-Transportation, Bicycle & Pedestrian Law & Safety for Law Enforcement training presented by the NYS Bicycle Coalition, in Plattsburg, N.Y. Deputy Chief Regina and Commissioner Jackson reported that their agencies are planning on hosting this in their respective regions.

Chairman Georges asked the TSC members to give an update on Ride Outs, Dirt Bikes & ATVs within their areas. All reported the frequency has dissipated or dropped significantly. Deputy Chief Regina reported that SCPD experienced a recent intersection take-over, but he said that it developed due to a roadside memorial service being held for a citizen who was involved in a fatal crash at that location.

• Deadly Driving Bill:

Chairman Georges reported that ADA Maureen McCormic is in the process of having this legislation re-introduced and is once again working tirelessly to gain support for passage of the bill.

• NHTSA/JHU National LEL Academy Project:

Chairman Georges updated the TSC on the status of the project and pilot program and reported that the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team has a Zoom call with NHTSA and JHU on October 3, 2025 to have further discussion on the progress of the program.

• Traffic Safety Engagement and Crash Data Review:

Chairman Georges polled the TSC members for issues in their respective regions:

Chief Spaulding reported that crash numbers remain consistent in her region and discussed the benefits of the County Crash Dashboard data system.

Director Tantalo reported that crash numbers in his area remain consistent and discussed that agencies in Monroe County are partnering with a local business owner to conduct an upcoming press event regarding pedestrian safety.

Chief Worden reported that overall crash numbers in his area are down however of the crashes reported, there has been an increase involving pedestrians.

Deputy Chief Regina and Commissioner Jackson reported that crash numbers in their respective areas remain consistent.

Chairman Georges thanked Commissioner Jackson for his participation in Speed Week and sending the NYSACOP TS Team information regarding his agency’s involvement in the high visibility enforcement initiative.

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

TSSC Denz reported on attending the WNYACOP Regional Meeting on September 18, 2025.

Director Tantalo discussed TSSC Denz and NYSACOP DCJS LEL Zack’s attendance at the Monroe County Law Enforcement Council meeting in Rochester on September 4, 2025.

Chairman Georges advised the TSC of Traffic Safety Services Review for Cheektowaga PD scheduled for October 28 and 29, 2025 and the NYSACOP Zone 6 POC meeting being planned for December.

• GTSC Update/Issues: 

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie reported that all of the reviews and approvals of FY26 grants are now completed. The NYSACOP TS Team will be conducting outreach to those agencies that were denied a grant, dropped out of the grant program, or did not apply this fiscal year.

TSSC Denz reported that FY25 is coming to a close:

1. All equipment ordered in FY25 must be received by 9/30, or the purchase will not be covered by the grant.
2. FY25 Final Report is due 10/15.
3. Last date to submit a Claim for Payment to GTSC is 10/30.

TSSC Denz stated that once agencies have completed all the deliverables under their respective grants, they can submit claims or final reports and do not have to wait until the specified deadline date.

TSSC Denz thanked Commissioner Jackson for assisting GTSC with recent press events on L.I.

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

NYSACOP/GTSC LEL Galerie reported that he attended portions of the Symposium. He stated that the Symposium experienced a record number of attendees (approximately 1600 people) and it is expected to grow in subsequent years.

• Other:

Nothing to report.

• Upcoming Events:

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

Chairman Georges reviewed the training being offered and reminded the TSC that the NYSACOP TS Team will be conducting a presentation at the event.

• IACP Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado, October 18-21, 2025:

Chairman Georges reviewed the training and polled the TSC members as to who will be attending.

• NYSACOP – NYSSA Leadership Summit, Albany Marriott Hotel, November 13-14, 2025:

Chairman Georges reminded the TSC members of this upcoming training and advised them to watch for the registration link which is expected to be posted on the NYSACOP website in the very near future.

• New Business:

• New/Pending Legislation:

Chairman Georges and TSOL Geraci reported on the pending legislation named Abee’s Law (S5661/A6564) which would legalize motorists to move to either the right side or left side of a roadway to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle. After discussion and input from all TSC members, it was decided to table any further action on this bill at this time.

NYSACOP/GTSC LEL Galerie reported on 119VTL and 1193/1194 VTL updates.

• Traffic Safety Activities and Training Courses:

Chairman Georges reviewed all currently posted trainings.

• Other:

Director Tantalo presented TSOL Geraci with a box of cookies to sample from a Rochester bakery. After consuming most of the cookies provided, TSOL Geraci determined he didn’t dislike them as much as cookies he has sampled from other establishments and then allowed the rest of the TSC members to sample the remaining crumbs in the bottom of the bakery box.

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

There were no suggestions brought forth at this meeting.

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

Chairman Georges reported that Nick Breul, Senior Program Manager, Officer Safety and Wellness, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund authored the “Intersections” article for the September 2025 edition of The Chiefs Chronical. Chairman Georges also requested TSC members, or members of their staff, consider submitting an article for future editions.

• Other:

Chairman Georges advised the TSC members of the implementation of the new NYSACOP Zone 11 and that Chief Charles Dobson, Lake Placid PD has been voted in as the Zone 11 representative. Chairman Georges also stated that he thought that Chief Dobson would be an excellent addition to the TSC and polled the TSC members on their thoughts on potentially adding Chief Dobson to the Committee. All members agreed that Chief Dobson should be invited to become a TSC member.

Chairman Georges stated he will approach Chief Dobson to inquire his interest in becoming a member of the Committee and then NYSACOP Executive Director Phelan and President Oliva to ask if Chief Dobson can be appointed to the TSC. If yes, Chairman Georges will advise the TSC of Chief Dobson’s appointment once it is finalized by President Oliva at the September NYSACOP Board of Governors meeting.

• Next Meeting:

• Motion to Adjourn:

1st:     Chief Spaulding
2nd:    Commissioner Jackson