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Saland becomes honorary Stockport officer

STOTTVILLE — A New York state senator was made an honorary Stockport Police Officer Friday in recognition of his support for the agency.

Sen. Steve Saland (R,C,I-Poughkeepsie) was presented a certificate of appointment and badge by Chief Michael Winnie in front of the Stockport Town Hall in Stottville, near the police vehicles that the senator helped secure funds for.

Saland has helped the department find funds for needed equipment over the past several years. Most recently he helped secure a grant for its new police cruiser. Last year he helped the department get a new computer system and radios, and a few years ago he helped it get another police vehicle.

“We’re very grateful,” said Winnie. “He’s helped us out a lot.”

Stockport Town Supervisor Leo Pulcher and members of the police force and town council were also present for the event.

Town councilman Joe Salvatore, who is also president of Stockport Fire Company 49, told the Register-Star that the senator recently helped the fire department get a new fire truck. Pulcher concurred, saying that Saland had been “instrumental” in securing the funds.

According to Pulcher, Saland has saved area tax payers “quite a bit of money.

“We really appreciate it,” he said.

Saland said he has helped secure “several million dollars” for law enforcement in Columbia and Dutchess counties. “It’s a quality of life issue,” he said. “The number one job of government is public safety.”

Winnie said the idea to make the senator an honorary officer came to him two years ago after seeing Saland give a keynote address at the Zone 14 Police Academy. “He made a comment about how he always wanted to be in law enforcement,” he said.

Winnie went to the town board with the idea and they agreed.

He said the honor was bestowed upon Saland for “going the extra mile” for his department as well as others in Columbia County. “He’s done so much for law enforcement,” said Winnie.

“I’m flattered and delighted,” said Saland after the presentation. The senator than took the cruiser for a test drive, with Stockport Police Officer Jerald Rowell as a passenger.

“It was more than I ever could have imagined,” Saland said of the drive. He said it capped off the day’s experience — a big smile on his face.

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