The Sullivan County Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association is the union that represents the patrol members of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. The brave men and women who make up this union were shocked by the information that has recently come to light in the article from the Albany Times Union newspaper titled “Gross Incompetence.” 

This was the first time that anyone from the executive board or the patrol division had ever heard about the incident from two months ago, involving a loaded handgun in the jail, and we take the matter to be extremely serious. 

The way in which our membership learned about this incident—through the media—is highly irregular. The patrol division is the entity that typically investigates incidents of contraband, weapons or other crimes that occur within the Sullivan County Jail. 

The union feels fortunate that this matter did not result in any injury or worse, and will fully comply with any investigation that may come from this. 

The safety of all the residents in Sullivan County remains a top priority for this membership, and we will strive to do better.

Jack Harb
PBA president
Rock Hill, NY