Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda 

8/11/25

JOINT STATEMENT FROM ALBANY COUNTY LEGISLATORS PATTY LOCKART & ZACH COLLINS

On Proposed “Civilian Oversight Review Board” of County Jail

In recent months we have heard many complaints at our public forums about the state of our County Correctional Facility. Let’s be clear: the County does not have the authority to create a “Civilian Oversight Board” for the jail.

​

As members of the Legislature’s Public Safety committee, we are staunchly opposed to this proposal. One need only look at the bureaucratic mess that is the City of Albany’s police review board to realize why it's such a bad idea. Unlike a City Police Commissioner, the County Sheriff is a separately elected official, and the people of our County have placed their trust in him to serve in that position for nearly 15 years.

​

Jails are meant to keep criminals off our streets. We will always support our police and corrections officers in their efforts to keep our communities safe.