Status Cuomonny Hall

"the safety of our students and the security of our campuses is our top priority" — Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Press Releases. September 13, 2012. http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/091412stmtsunythreats

It's one thing to put out a press release and make claims about student safety and campus security being top priority. Actually, demonstrably making it top priority is something else entirely. Where's the evidence of any change for the better?

"the State is not an insurer or guarantor of the safety of SUNYA students"

McEnaney v. State of New York, 267 AD 2d 748 - NY: Appellate Div., 3rd Dept. 1999. http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14949034404515783354

"there are police chiefs in SUNY who are not mandating policer [sic] officers, certified, whatever. We have police chiefs that refuse to voluntarily give up their fingerprints"

James Lyman, Executive Director of Council 82 for the New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union. (108). http://www.nysenate.gov/files/SUNY%20testimony%20pt.%202.PDF

"SUNY police chiefs serve at the pleasure of the campus president, thus are motivated to keep crime stats down by any means […] SUNY can no longer afford to staff, or overstaff, a body, or overstaff, a body which is subject to inefficiencies, manipulation, cronyism, ill motivation and mismanagement."

Peter Barry, VP & Legislative Director of NYS University Police Officers Union Local 1792 of the American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees AFSCME, Council 82 & AFL-CIO. (127-128). http://www.nysenate.gov/files/SUNY%20Testimony%20pt.%203.PDF

"'instead of the school doing what it should do, following basic standards of due process…basically, if you can’t cross-examine your accuser, since the time Sir Walter Raleigh, that accusers testimony needs to be discarded. However, in SUNY Albany the accuser, the cop, can say whatever he or she wants, and then you’re not allowed to cross-examine that cop.'" — Lee Kindlon of Kindlon, Shanks & Associates

Mineau, Lauren. "Bruised, arrested student alleges police brutality." Albany Student Press Blog. December 12, 2012. http://blog.timesunion.com/asp/2706/bruised-arrested-students-alleges-police-brutality/

A UAlbany freshman asked: "How do you call the UAlbany Police?"

A sophomore answered, "Soo-nie!"

Everyone else replied, "You don't. (It's safer not to.)"

People might be better off taking their chances with the City of Albany PD, despite Chief Krokoff being a UAlbany student (which shows):

"'I'm looking into our handling of it,' Police Chief Steven Krokoff said".

Lyons, Brendan J. "Cops chided in finger-biting case; Victim says police slow to probe attack that nearly cost her finger." Albany Times Union. January 31, 2013. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cops-chided-in-finger-biting-case-4236663.php

"Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff was surprised to find out that his officers have conducted some 655 strip searches dating back to January of 2009".

TU Editorial Board. "Why so many strip searches?" Albany Times Union. December 12, 2012. http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/why-so-many-strip-searches/23305/

"Police Chief Steven Krokoff says his department was 'insensitive' when it conducted a training exercise that involved police firing blank ammunition and using flash grenades near occupied apartments at the Ida J. Yarbrough Homes.

"The chief said the department will review how it conducts neighborhood-based training' after Thursday's operation drew criticism from residents who said they were frightened by a chaotic scene that seemed real to them.

"Krokoff released a statement as photos of the incident spread on Facebook. The pictures showed armed officers in tactical gear as well as fake blood and spent shell casings that were left behind at part of the public housing complex that is now deserted and slated for demolition."

Stanforth, Lauren. "Police training exercise draws criticism; Residents of Ida Yarbrough describe explosions and gunfire; chief apologizes." Albany Times Union. March 25, 2013. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Police-training-exercise-draws-criticism-4379839.php

For earlier issues with the City of Albany Police (of which there are many, evidently), see e.g.:

Gavin, Robert. "Tuffey taking time off with pay; Top cop takes action after Times Union report that he hasn't been sworn officer since 1996." Albany Times Union. May 27, 2009: A1. http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=8108430 (and some more relating to that: "Tough and wily? Nice going there, chiefs." http://minervawept.blogspot.com/2012/12/tough-and-wily-nice-going-there-chiefs.html