All Police To Undergo Psychological Testing

Chief Redmond Reacts To Department Scandal


By BENJAMIN DEER

All Oneonta Police Department officers will undergo psychological testing, beginning March 30, in an effort to ensure the activities that led to the resignation of three policemen last year is not repeated.
“You can be emotionally stable, but you may not be emotionally suited to be a police officer,” Police Chief Joseph Redmond told the city’s Board of Public Safety Tuesday, March 16. “These tests will show if people are suitable for the police force.”
That initiative – to ensure officers are mentally prepared to withstand the stresses and temptations of the job – was one of several outlined by the chief.
 “The events last fall were inappropriate and irresponsible,” he declared, referring to allegations that the three officers were improperly involved with young women while on duty.
Mayor Dick Miller had told Common Council Tuesday, March 2, that Redmond was taking the steps to ensure what happened won’t happen again, and that no further investigation was warranted.
Picking up on that, Redmond told the board he planned to relate “what everyone wants and needs to hear.”
Additionally, the police department will require its officers to undergo ethics training, which will occur every two years. The aldermen at the meeting took pains to emphasize they do not believe what happened reflects poorly on the department as a whole.
“We have great officers and a great program,” said Alderman Michael E. Lynch, Jr.
 “We’ve really got some top notch police officers coming in and we’re very thankful for that,” added Alderwoman Elizabeth Shannon.