Tuffey and Accountability


By DIA, Section News
Posted on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 04:22:26 AM EST

The TU editorial staff weigh in on Chief Tuffey's credibility issue. Nicely done.
It was under entirely different circumstances last year that Albany Police Chief James Tuffey was appealing for public support for a controversial yet quite sensible reorganization plan. More than anything, he wanted to be in firmer control of a department that was all too prone to turf battles and blurry lines of command.

"Allow me to manage the police department," Mr. Tuffey said then. "And hold me accountable."

Suddenly, though, Mr. Tuffey's words have an uneasy ring to them. Accountability, after all, ultimately means credibility. And for Mr. Tuffey to retain the respect that's so imperative in his job, he has to be more forthright and convincing in how he addresses the fallout from a scandal that happened before his watch.
I would like to point out that while the purchase of the guns and resale of the guns did not happen while Tuffey's was chief, he was part of the department at the time of the purchase. And if reports are accurate, he and Mayor Jennings refused FOIL requests on his watch. And you know what they say in politics, "its not the crime that gets you, its the cover up".

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Tuffey and Accountability | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 hidden)
I appreciated (none / 0) (#1)
by kateb on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 04:32:33 AM EST

this editorial.

Let's be fair (none / 0) (#2)
by TerryONeillEsq on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 05:16:13 AM EST
When Chief Tuffey was traipsing around the city with his reorganization plan dog-and-pony, I asked a question at the meeting held in Arbor Hill.  

I reminded the Chief that some years ago during his brother's stint in that office, the Albany Police Department stole my car (a loss for which I have never been reimbursed).  The APD had actually had it towed and bollixed up the paperwork so that it could not be found.  When I received a huge storage fee bill from one of the city's favored towing companies six months later, I went to the APD and complained to Chief Tuffey.  

In recounting this tale at the Arbor Hill meeting, I noted that in pursuing my quest for compensation, I had repeated meetings with the Chief of Police.  However, each time, the Chief had a different name.  And, as what goes around comes around, we're back at "Tuffey".

My point on the reorganization plan was made when I noted that I have had interaction with police agencies large and small all over North America and the British Isles and I have never encountered such a bizarre example of leadership turmoil.  It cannot be healthy for the organization.  As far as Chief Tuffey's reorganization, of what benefit could it possibly be if it was just another transitory paroxysm passing for an assertion of leadership that will sooner rather than later be again interrupted by a change of same?

Chief Tuffey, as we all know, has a very assertive and positive approach toward things and assured the assemblage that he was going to be around for a while.

Well, now he is being criticized for the results of this accretion of barely-healed scar tissue that is the consequence of the Mayor's treating the Chief's office as a scab at which he cannot stop picking.

So, to the Times Union and all of the Chief's critics, you are free to quote me as saying, as Stephen Colbert often does: "Mr. Mayor, you, sir, are on notice."

Forgot to say (none / 0) (#3)
by kateb on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 05:52:06 AM EST

(Thanks much Terry, for the inspiration)

When the Chief decides to be accountable again, I'd like 1) proper handling of the evidence he knows I have, which 2) most likely means a referral from the Chief to a NY agency without a conflict.  He can ask Lt. Mike what he said about the conflict or take my word for it.

[ Parent ]

Terry (none / 0) (#4)
by alfrednewman on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 07:08:44 AM EST
I am really kind of surprised. Suprised that they "lost" your car and surpised that there didn't seem to be any recourse for you.
.
.
I agree with the Times Union.  This certainly does raise questions.

Is the police chief intentionally misleading the citizens of Albany, or has the police chief been mislead by people working under him?

Either way its time for the chief to explain whats going on.

Missing and unaccountable firearms from the police is simply unacceptable.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"

I've seen (none / 0) (#5)
by kateb on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 07:51:36 AM EST

where this can happen:  "police chief been mislead by people working under him"

Ask Tony.

[ Parent ]

P.S. (none / 0) (#6)
by kateb on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 07:57:32 AM EST
Tuffey's style lays open a huge opportunity for that to happen.   "If that's what my chief is telling me (one of his assistants), that's what I go with."

Tuffey makes mistakes that way.  No extra layer of accountability, only blind adherence.  Who needs a chief in that kind of system?

Turley -- in my experience -- was more in synch with how life happens.  His assistant might be lacking information, and it's not a slap to loyalty.  He'd pick up the phone and talk to you, agree to meet if you wanted, addressed the concerns you raised there, said LOUDLY what he'd do about it, all reasonable, never once disrespecting his people.

Tuffey will get that some day.

[ Parent ]

Now that I think of it (none / 0) (#7)
by kateb on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 08:00:59 AM EST
DA Soares's style is just like Tuffey's.

If D'Alessandro says so, must be right.  No layer of accountability.

In fact, with the DA accountability is even worse.  Calls to DA Soares complaining about D'Alessandro were passed on to D'Alessandro and never returned.

Poor management.

ding ding ding (none / 0) (#8)
by DIA on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 08:04:05 AM EST
seven comments in and we've turned an editorial on Tuffey into an attack on Soares.

Ding ding ding (none / 0) (#9)
by kateb on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 08:16:01 AM EST

you wouldn't mention it if it turned into an attack on Jennings.

Special treatment.

[ Parent ]

you are right (none / 0) (#10)
by DIA on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 08:21:20 AM EST
because Jennings is Tuffey's boss and thus he is ultimately accountable for Tuffey's actions.  
 

And (none / 0) (#11)
by kateb on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 10:40:39 AM EST

for me, talking about Tuffey, Turley, and Soares re accountability are a natural fit, all being law enforcement.

[ Parent ]
You know who sucks? (none / 0) (#12)
by Lame Man on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 11:03:28 AM EST
Soares.

You know who else sucks?  Progressives.

You know who else sucks?  DIA.

hey (none / 0) (#13)
by DIA on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 11:26:08 AM EST
you forgot Joe Torre

[ Parent ]
And A-Rod (none / 0) (#14)
by Lame Man on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 01:26:44 PM EST
and Jeter for hitting into all the double plays, and Posada, and Joba, and ...

Go Cleveland!

[ Parent ]

Whatever (none / 0) (#15)
by FedUp on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 06:43:57 PM EST
let's bring it back, shall we??? Tuffey's all about "I gotta be honest with you" and he's anything but.    What is it with this guy???   He' nothing more than a common thug who's been promoted by protecting people.

[ Parent ]
Tuffey Shrugged? (none / 0) (#16)
by TerryONeillEsq on Sat Oct 13, 2007 at 09:08:09 AM EST
TUFFEY SHRUGGED? NO WAY!

Please give our Chief a little relief.
The job has brought nothing but grief.
The TU, that scold, would have him uphold
A standard that, pardon my bold-
Ness, old Atlas would shrug then off he would lug
His carcass to some pleasant snug.
Betake him and hie to have a good cry
In his beer and to ask himself: "Why,
When all that I try
Is to hold up the sky,
Am I getting this guff,
These slings, arrows and stuff
And as salt that is rubbed in my wound
By de Rosier cartooned and roundly lampooned?
Well, I guess there's just nothing to do
But to slog on and see the job through.

Keep thinking (none / 0) (#17)
by kateb on Sat Oct 13, 2007 at 11:31:04 AM EST

a beer with Chief Tuffey is in order...........

[ Parent ]
Slainte! (none / 0) (#18)
by TerryONeillEsq on Sat Oct 13, 2007 at 12:32:26 PM EST
You might well enjoy it more than you expect.

[ Parent ]
Good, Terry (none / 0) (#19)
by kateb on Mon Oct 15, 2007 at 06:41:52 AM EST

You let him know.

[ Parent ]
Well (none / 0) (#20)
by kateb on Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 07:44:22 AM EST

it don't take anyone a week to arrange a beer.

[ Parent ]
Tuffey and Accountability | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 hidden)
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