A letter from Chief Bernie Podsiedlik February 2021
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s’ Executive Order 203
New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative
New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative
Hello Village residents,
This is Chief Bernie Podsiedlik and I would like to have a dialog with all of you regarding Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order # 203, Police Reform and Reinvention. My intention is to solicit feedback and information from you, as well as provide an update about the current status of the Marcellus Police Department.
Many of you do not know me and unfortunately, I have been unable to make personal connections due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I have been the acting Chief of Police for the Village of Marcellus since the retirement of former Chief Robert Wicks in December of 2019. I have worked at the Marcellus Police Department for the past decade as a Sergeant and Captain. My philosophy in policing is derived from my 33 ½ years of law enforcement experience with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, coupled with my belief in cohesive and connected communities bound by and steeped in tradition. I believe that the responsibility of the police is to be an integral part of that community, to protect and serve, and to assist citizens in maintaining a quality of life that is desired by all.
The Village of Marcellus Police Department is currently comprised of 11 Police Officers and an Administrative Assistant. Our roster includes one Police Chief, two Police Sergeants and eight Patrol Officers. There are also three Special Patrol Officers assigned as School Resource Officers in each building of Marcellus Central School District, and two Special Patrol Officers assigned as School Resource Officers in the Onondaga Central School District and the Lyncourt Union Free School District, respectively. All Special Patrol Officer/School Resource Officer positions are funded by the school districts in which they work.
All of the Police Officers including the Chief are part time, and are currently active or retired Police Officers from other municipalities. The School Resource Officer/Special Patrol Officers within the school districts are retired police officers as well, and possess valuable experience, training and knowledge specific to active shooter situations and other areas of concern facing schools today.
The Marcellus Police Department provides basic police protection and a full range of law enforcement services. These services include but are not limited to:
We are a part time police department and it is important that we are able to connect Village residents with resources when we are not able to provide them ourselves. I have strong working relationships with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and the District Attorney’s Office. These circumstances allow Village of Marcellus residents to have a higher personal level of service and attention from their own police agency combined with the resources of the larger police organizations if needed.
Updates and changes made in 2020
2020 was a very difficult year in many ways. Many legislative changes have come into effect regarding rules and laws involving law enforcement. My goal has been to comply with these changes and implement policies that will continue to provide all of the residents in the Village of Marcellus with the highest quality and professional level of service.
If you would like to discuss Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 203, New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, or anything involving our Village that I can assist with, please feel free to contact me via email or telephone.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Chief Bernie Podsiedlik
Email- [email protected]
Phone-(315)673-2079
This is Chief Bernie Podsiedlik and I would like to have a dialog with all of you regarding Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order # 203, Police Reform and Reinvention. My intention is to solicit feedback and information from you, as well as provide an update about the current status of the Marcellus Police Department.
Many of you do not know me and unfortunately, I have been unable to make personal connections due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I have been the acting Chief of Police for the Village of Marcellus since the retirement of former Chief Robert Wicks in December of 2019. I have worked at the Marcellus Police Department for the past decade as a Sergeant and Captain. My philosophy in policing is derived from my 33 ½ years of law enforcement experience with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, coupled with my belief in cohesive and connected communities bound by and steeped in tradition. I believe that the responsibility of the police is to be an integral part of that community, to protect and serve, and to assist citizens in maintaining a quality of life that is desired by all.
The Village of Marcellus Police Department is currently comprised of 11 Police Officers and an Administrative Assistant. Our roster includes one Police Chief, two Police Sergeants and eight Patrol Officers. There are also three Special Patrol Officers assigned as School Resource Officers in each building of Marcellus Central School District, and two Special Patrol Officers assigned as School Resource Officers in the Onondaga Central School District and the Lyncourt Union Free School District, respectively. All Special Patrol Officer/School Resource Officer positions are funded by the school districts in which they work.
All of the Police Officers including the Chief are part time, and are currently active or retired Police Officers from other municipalities. The School Resource Officer/Special Patrol Officers within the school districts are retired police officers as well, and possess valuable experience, training and knowledge specific to active shooter situations and other areas of concern facing schools today.
The Marcellus Police Department provides basic police protection and a full range of law enforcement services. These services include but are not limited to:
- Property checks, residential and business
- Traffic, penal law and local law enforcement
- Police escort for village business
- Local crime prevention programs
- Juvenile justice services
- Facilitation of school safety and security
- Linkage to mobile crisis services
We are a part time police department and it is important that we are able to connect Village residents with resources when we are not able to provide them ourselves. I have strong working relationships with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and the District Attorney’s Office. These circumstances allow Village of Marcellus residents to have a higher personal level of service and attention from their own police agency combined with the resources of the larger police organizations if needed.
Updates and changes made in 2020
- Updated use of force policy to include a ban on the use of chokeholds or carotid artery restraint unless deadly force is authorized.
- Implemented a policy for increased transparency regarding police use of force and police misconduct complaints. This includes regular meetings with Mayor Curtin and semiannual meetings with Village Trustees or on an as needed basis to discuss all substantive cases.
- Entered into an agreement with Liberty Resources, a mobile crisis assessment team for adults and youth. This provides crisis response and stabilization to individuals who appear to be experiencing a behavioral health crisis and is utilized by the responding officer when the situation is outside the purview of police authority.
- Instituted a policy on unbiased policing. (policy can be viewed at the village office)
- Instituted a policy on interactions with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. (policy can be viewed at the village office)
- Instituted a transgender policy. (policy can be viewed at the village office)
2020 was a very difficult year in many ways. Many legislative changes have come into effect regarding rules and laws involving law enforcement. My goal has been to comply with these changes and implement policies that will continue to provide all of the residents in the Village of Marcellus with the highest quality and professional level of service.
If you would like to discuss Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 203, New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, or anything involving our Village that I can assist with, please feel free to contact me via email or telephone.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Chief Bernie Podsiedlik
Email- [email protected]
Phone-(315)673-2079