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Southampton Village Police Sergeant Arthur Schucht is retiring after some 28 years of service, Chief William Wilson confirmed this week.
Sgt. Schucht submitted his retirement papers to state officials in Albany, and his retirement will take effect on May 22, according to the chief.
“He has decided to move on with his life,” Chief Wilson said.
Word of the retirement comes just one week after it was discovered that Chief Wilson had launched an internal investigation of the possible misuse of department computers and the resignation of safety dispatcher Amy Hertling, who was among the staff Chief Wilson planned to question. Ms. Hertling said she resigned because of a scheduling conflict with her children.
Last week, the chief said all police computers were undergoing an internal audit to determine whether they had been used to view sexually explicit material or other material that is personal in nature and unrelated to an employee’s official job function. On Wednesday morning, Chief Wilson said the probe is continuing, but said, “As of now, there’s no indication of any pornographic or sexually explicit material on the computer workstation that Ms. Hertling and others worked on the majority of time.”
The chief confirmed this week that Sgt. Schucht had been a duty supervisor in charge of the midnight squad from 10 a.m. to 8 a.m., the same shift Ms. Hertling most recently worked, and that Ms. Hertling had been assigned to Sergeant Schucht’s squad. But asked Tuesday if the sergeant’s retirement was connected in any way to the department’s ongoing probe, Chief Wilson said, “It’s not related to the investigation,” and added that it had no connection with Ms. Hertling’s recent resignation.
Sgt. Schucht was one of four Village Police officers involved in the 2004 Taser death of David Glowczenski, a mentally ill man who police were trying to take into custody. Mr. Glowczenski’s family filed a lawsuit against the village in connection with his death, and the civil case is still pending.
Sgt. Schucht could not be reached for comment. Chief Wilson said the sergeant would be off duty, as part of his regular schedule, for the next three or four days and would be forbidden from commenting on the internal investigation.
But after 28 years, the good Sergeant should be allowed to retire gracefully.
Last time I checked, this was America. We believe in getting ahead; living "The American Dream";The Pursuit of Happiness. To retire computably & not be a burden on society.
But maybe this new health care plan will compare favorably to the plan we purchase for the village employees.
It's amazing to me that people are so against other people having 2 jobs. First they attack the police for having second jobs (something cops everywhere do), now its wrong for Mayor Epley to keep his regular job while he's Mayor.
One or more of the many Lt's or Detectives could fill this gap at substantial savings to the taxpayers. The responsibility could be shared - Alternating weeks on call?. What is the total # of Detectives and Lt.s on the payroll and how busy are their schedules? Police Commisioner should know the answer.
An an alternative to directing a Lt. and/or Detective to be on call to perform such honorable ...more service from 10 pm to 8 am (for a great salary and benefits) woukd be to designate one of the more competent (senior) police officers on that shift as "Officer in charge" for that midnight shift from 10 pm to 8 am..
If as and when there is a serious problem or felony involved a Lt. or Detective (on call 24/7 for extra pay anyhow I think) could be called in for an hour or two to bring in the County guys to take charge of the more serious events..
Maybe the Board could reduce the budget through attrition as a result of these resignation/retirement elvents and get a grip on the police budget now that they no longer seem willing to abide creating "new" Sgt. positions to reward a chasen few selected by ???? (The Dude?) by what method of selection???
Might we hear more after the May 22 effective date? I know not and do not hold my breath in anticipation.I think Life is our teacher, will teach us what we need to learn, all in due time.
We must trust our Board- or we must replace them!. Wake uo Board! Be alert!
Thats all my thoughts about that at the moment!, Peace be with us, each and all!
Be well and remember to forgive everyone for everything-
to the rest of you......last time i checked the Civil Service tests were open to all of us not just a select few....dont knock the Civil Serveants.......we could have been there if we took the test and did decent, or didnt ...more have " A PAST" which would hinder us from becoming a POlice Officer...looking back..I wish i did...
This has been done in the past by both Chief Overton and Chief Ray Dean. The Village Employees and the Village residents would be better served.
Beyond reproach - The commissish asked the Chief "Is this true?"
Chief said No - Gommish believed him 100% - End of investigation!
Others should have the same option. If they say "No, not true," then end o f investigation- just like Eply did with Wilson. Hello? Live and let live - All is well as the world turns.- We are forgiven only if we forgive. Seems simple?
It really is that simple-
Be well and do well- ...more PBA-keep an eye out- watch these guys!
Congrats Sarge, may you have a long & healthy retirement.
Sgt. Schuct, thank you for your years of service, and best of luck to you in the ...more future!
Oil floats on water. Incompetence floats to the top. In the end, truth and justice (what is right) prevails. Sometimes it takes a while, just be patient - all will be well! Peace to all who have faith! As the world turns, the evildoers will crash and burn and what is right will prevail, in my humble opinion.
Have faith-Keep a positive thought! - This is a temporary situation. I think the police commisioner has awakened and will do the right thing for ...more his taxpayers who placed him in this "Fiduciary" position as representative of us "Taxpayers" whose money he i(and our Board) is spending on these lawsuits! (and overtime for our Polce). While investigating lower rank officers for unauthorized use of computers, lets expand the investigation to higher ranks and weed out everyone who haa used Village paid time for "secondary" employment while being also paid by taxpayers for being "on the job". Is such conduct petit (or on a longer time frame) grand larceny? Fraud on a govermentalal entityt?
Maybe any "wrongdoers" could be discharged before they put in for retirement at taxpayers expense? As I think that will never happen but it would be good to be rid of them in spite of the cost, In my humble opinion! Let us hope right will orevail over wrong, as it should. Be well and have faith!