HONORING OFFICERS
Saratoga Springs Police Department awards ceremony honors 40 officers
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Community officials, family members and colleagues came out on a rainy Monday night to attend the annual Saratoga Springs Police Department Awards Ceremony honoring the accomplishments of the various units of the city’s law enforcement agency.
Retiring Saratoga Springs Police Chief Greg Veitch welcomed those present with what may be one of the final events he will preside over as leader of the city police department. He introduced Commissioner of Public Safety Peter Martin as the first guest speaker.
“An event like this makes everyone proud,” Martin said.
The event is observed during National Police Week 2019, which is taking place from May 12-May 18.
Veitch spoke from the heart as he continued his emphatic, passionate delivery by reminding guests what the police officers who were about to be honored face on a daily basis.
“If you were to ask the officers tonight about the incidents that led to these awards, they would say ‘I was just doing my job.’ The events you are going to hear about tonight are not simply a few people doing “their job,” he said.
“They deal with difficult and trying circumstances, in rapidly evolving, uncertain and sometimes dangerous situations, said Veitch. “They do so without hesitation, knowing that the victims, the com
"An event like this makes everyone proud." — Commissioner of Public Safety Peter Martin
munity and their fellow officers and the department are depending upon them to handle incredibly complex situations with professionalism and discipline.”
“Saratoga Springs owes these officers a debt of gratitude that will never be fully repaid,” Veitch added.
Hosted at the Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs at 232 Broadway, the event was organized by Saratoga Springs Police Department (SSPD) Patrol Lieutenant Sean Briscoe.
“These awards ceremonies have been going on for years, long before I was employed here,” said Briscoe. “About three times as many patrol division members received awards as compared to investigations division, but that is to be expected as there are about three times as many patrol officers as there are investigators.”
“Considering many are in their early twenties, their enthusiasm and professionalism is amazing,” Briscoe observed.
Notably, out of 72 sworn members on the force, thirteen are females.
A variety of citations, commendations, awards, and honors were bestowed as a result of determining situational criteria illustrative of the diversity and complexity of the situations encountered on city streets. They included the following:
Grand Cordon - Awarded for individual participation or leadership by a member of an operating unit whose efforts led the entire Department staff in a cited action.
• Unit Citation - Awarded for a team effort under unfavorable conditions or in a combat situation, including all participating staff members, who in support of Departmental operations, distinguished themselves to effectuate the protection of life and property.
• Drug Buster - Awarded for the successful result of undercover and/or stakeout vigilance and with risk to personal safety, succeeded in the arrest of a narcotic criminal.
• K-9 Commendation Awarded for successfully aiding and/or assisting to overcome any dangerous encounter or apprehend a dangerous felon who is a major threat to the safety of the community through the coordinated team of Officer-Master and Dog.
The Education Award was presented to Sergeant Tyler McIntosh, who completed a master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College last year. Veitch and the SSPD encourage higher education and continued training for all officers, and is one of the few that affirm and encourage their success on a regular basis.
Officer Caleb Bentley is one example of the impressive degree of achievement many of the officers have obtained at a very young age. The oldest of three children, Bentley received a unit citation for arriving at an incident with his unit that quickly developed into a standoff. As well as a police officer, he is also a lieutenant and on the search and rescue team for the F. B. Peck Hose Company in Waterford.
His father, Richard Bentley came out for the event and described his son as “having a servant’s heart.”
“It was a very proud moment to see all his hard work, first through college and then the police academy. His entire family is very proud of him. It’s wonderful that the SSPD shows their appreciation,” Bentley said.
The desire to become a police officer is often a family tradition shared among siblings and parents and the SSPD is no exception. Veitch was tasked with honoring his brother, Sergeant Paul Veitch, with a Grand Cordon award and a unit citation during the event.
The Grand Cordon is awarded for individual participation or leadership by a member of an operating unit whose efforts led the entire department staff in a cited action. The cordon is an ornamental cord or braid.
Officer William Arpei was presented with a Lifesaving Award, a K9 commendation, and two unit citations. Arpei is partnered with Officer Nero, a German Shepherd. Residents may not be aware that the SSPD assigns a K-9 officer to each shift.
Throughout the event, as Veitch called out each award, he described in harrowing detail the circumstances of each incident the officers being honored had faced, including officers who successfully saved lives by deterring suicidal individuals, investigating complex drug trade operations, and responding to domestic violence calls.
Officer Parker Wilson received two unit citations and an Exceptional Duty Award for his investigations last summer regarding individuals tampering with patrons drinks by slipping 3,4 methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy into them in downtown bars.
Each of the officers that were honored at Monday’s SSPD Award Ceremony are detailed in the document attached issued by Chief Veitch.