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Rochester signs agreement with NYS to improve parolee supervision

npr.org

Rochester Police and New York State Corrections’ officials have signed an agreement designed to improve supervision of parolees in the city.

Among other things, the memorandum of understanding would commit the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to increase its information sharing with the RPD.

James VanBrederode is the Town of Gates police chief, and is also president of the Monroe County Association of Chiefs of Police.

He says this agreement is a step in the right direction, but further steps are needed, including giving local police more power to detain someone who is violating parole.

“We’re looking for an actual law that would give police the authority to make that detention, whether its 24 hours or 48 hours, take them into custody on the spot if they’re violating parole."

VanBrederode wishes police had more clear-cut authority to hold potential violators when there is a parole problem.

“We’re treating the symptoms of a bigger problem; the real solution is to make changes to the parole system  changes to the law that give the police powers, that’s the true change, this is kind of like a band aid approach.”

VanBrederode also notes this agreement is only with the City of Rochester. He would  like a statewide shift in policy that would affect what he says are systemic problems with the parole system.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.