Niskayuna police official weighs opening hearing

hearings are traditionally held behind closed doors.

But attorney Michael P. Mcdermott, who is representing acting Police

Chief Michael Stevens, left open the possibility Tuesday that the lawman may request that a hearing on alleged violations of town policy by Stevens be open to the public.

“We’ve been talking about that, but I don’t think we’ll make a final decision until we get closer to date, but that’s certainly an option,” he said.

Asked about the advantages of doing that, Mcdermott asserted that his client “has nothing to hide.”

“He is going to be vindicated and is comfortably happy to have people testify under oath in a public setting,” he said, adding that the details around COVID precautions during the hearing will also factor in their final decision.

In a statement, Mcdermott said Stevens “looks forward to the end of this distraction and the opportunity to focus all of his energy and considerable experience on the serious business of running the police department.” He declined to discuss the allegations.

Stevens, who has steadfastly maintained his innocence, did not respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday.

The town will be represented by outside attorney Jay Girvin, who Wednesday did not return either an email or a voicemail message left on his office phone.

Saying it is a personnel matter, Niskayuna Town Attorney Paul Briggs declined comment Wednesday.

After several delays, a hearing on the allegations against Stevens is slated for Sept. 15.

He is one of three police commanders in the running to become Niskayuna’s next police chief.

The other two finalists are police captains Jordan Kochan and Todd Frenyea.

Whoever the board settles on will succeed Frances Wall, who served as the acting police chief before retiring amid a workplace violence complaint. The new chief will inherit a department that over the years has been plagued by staffing woes, defections, morale problems, and complaints from some officers about the dearth of training.

Earlier this week, town Supervisor Yasmine Syed said the board had decided to hold off on making a final decision about their choice for chief pending the outcome of Stevens’ disciplinary hearing.