New KPD chief tries to balance city’s needs, fiscal reality

The belt-tightening has forced department officials to make tough choices, including limiting the circumstances in which detectives can be called out on overtime. In the past, a detective might have responded immediately to a homeowner who returned from an out-of-town trip to find their house had been burglarized. Now, patrol officers are expected to secure the scene, take statements and look for evidence, while detectives wait until their regularly scheduled shift to carry out a more thorough investigation. (Tinti noted that for violent crimes, detectives still turn out immediately and in force, often working around the clock until they get a break).

“In the past we would say, ‘Let’s get someone in there right away,’” said Tinti who, earlier this year, took over and reorganized the division after former chief detective Tim Matthews resigned amid allegations that he stole investigative funds. “But when we were forced to look at the numbers, we saw that as one place we could cut back.”

The detective division’s manpower woes have had an impact beyond the City of Kingston. Since 2007, four KPD detectives assigned to narcotics work have operated under the umbrella of the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team. The unit, run from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, combines the investigative resources of eight local, county and federal agencies to handle drug and gang cases throughout Ulster County. Over the summer, Kingston Detective Sgt. Bob Henry, URGENT’s gang intelligence specialist, retired. The remaining members have been assigned to spend more time working KPD cases and less with URGENT.

“Absolutely it’s had an impact,” said Ulster County Undersheriff Frank Faluotico of the pulling back of KPD detectives from the task force. “We hope it’s going to be a temporary situation until they get their strength up to where they need to be.”

Mayor-elect Shayne Gallo, who ran on a pledge to address crime and quality-of-life issues, will take office in January with a depleted police force and a tight budget.

“I don’t have enough [police] and I can’t afford to hire more,” Gallo bluntly told a group of small business owners at a Nov. 21 forum.

But, Gallo said, he has a number of ideas to get the most out of the resources the department does have. Gallo said that planned to meet with Tinti this week to offer up proposals, including taking the sergeant and officer currently assigned to administrative duties and placing them back on the street.

“They can still do administrative duties, but they don’t need to do them five days a week,” said Gallo. “They can do them one day a week and spend the rest of the time on the street.”