Albany police union wants changes after dangerous crashes involving sheriff’s deputies

The Albany Police Benevolent Association wants changes made, after they said several high-speed chases initiated by the Albany County Sheriff’s Office turned into dangerous crashes.

In a letter the police union wrote to the public on Tuesday, Dec. 14, they said the current partnership between the city of Albany and the sheriff’s office is not safe.

"The current arrangement, we find it to be unsafe, unnecessary, and unhelpful," Michael Delano said.

Delano is the president of the police union, he said it’s not that the police union does not want a partnership, the intent is to have better communication.

"We need some clear commander control. If these kinds of pursuits are going to exist, we need clear communication," Delano said.

Several local law enforcement agencies did step in over the summer, at the request of the state, to curb the problem of shootings and gun violence in Albany. That includes the sheriff’s office.

Delano said three notable crashes have happened since the summer:

Lark St/Madison Ave., S Pearl St/Mt. Hope, and a crash on Western Ave/N Lake Ave. happened just this week.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple has no comment.

Delano said he has written a letter to the city of Albany asking them to step in to make changes.

"Officer safety is paramount. Public safety is paramount. It’s the most important thing: human life. It hasn’t been addressed, and we want it addressed now," Delano said.

NewsChannel 13 reached out to the city of Albany. They said no comment.