Four Promoted and One Hired As 2020 Ends 

On December 30, 2020, Supervisor Peter Barber presided over the promotions of four officers and the swearing in of one new officer who joins the Guilderland Police Department.

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- Lt. Eric Batchelder was promoted to the rank of Captain. Captain Batchelder was hired in 2001 and promoted to Lieutenant in 2015. He has overseen the Patrol Division, Communications Division and Community Services Unit.

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- Sr. Investigator Tom Funk was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant. F/Sgt. Funk was hired in 1994, and in 2008 he was promoted to Senior Investigator and since overseen the Criminal Investigations Unit.

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- Officer Matt Hanzalik was promoted to the rank of Investigator. Inv. Hanzalik was hired in 2009 and has been working in the Community Services Unit since 2014.

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- Officer Damir Svraka was promoted to the rank of Retail Interdiction Detail (R.I.D.) Investigator. Inv. Svraka joined the department in 2017 as a lateral transfer from the Troy Police and had been assigned to the Patrol Division.

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- Officer Michael Doynow was sworn in as Guilderland’s newest officer. Officer Doynow is a lateral transfer from the Albany County Sheriff’s Dept. He will be assigned to the patrol division following field training.

Carkner and Davis Sworn In

Guilderland Police Department's newest officers, Brandon Carkner and Matthew Davis, were sworn in on November 2, 2020 by Guilderland Town Supervisor Peter Barber.

Officer Carkner comes to Guilderland as a lateral transfer from the Albany Police. Officer Davis, also a later transfer, comes from the Albany County Sheriff's Department.

The officers will be assigned to the patrol division following a period of field training. A formal ceremony will be held at a later date.

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GPD Adds Three New Officers

On September 11, 2020, Town Supervisor Peter Barber swore in three new officers during an informal ceremony at town hall, as the department continues to fill vacancies left by recent retirements.

Officer Christopher Oades is a lateral transfer from the Albany Police Department where he has been an officer for 9 years. Officer Nicholas Marcella comes from the Albany County Sheriff’s Department where he was a deputy for 2 years. Officer Kasey Straus transfers from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department where she was a deputy for 2 years.

All three will begin field training on September 14th and then will be assigned to the patrol division. A formal ceremony for all 2020 promotions and new hires will be held later this year.

Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Committee Formed

The Town of Guilderland is proud to announce the formation of the Town of Guilderland Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Committee. The Committee is formed in response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order 203 which requires the Town to prepare a plan to address racial bias and disproportionate policing of communities of color. The Order requires that the Town Supervisor, Chief of Police, and appointed stakeholders shall convene to prepare the plan by considering directives in the Order and expounded upon in the Governor’s Resources & Guide for Public Officials and Citizens (August, 2020).

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The committee’s work will be supported by The Government Law Center at Albany Law School. Under the direction of Professor Ava Ayers, The Government Law Center has provided invaluable legal research and analysis on pressing important topics. The committee plans to hold its inaugural meeting in the first week of September, and there will be opportunities for public comment and involvement as the committee proceeds with its important work.

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The Town of Guilderland set up a Police Reform and Reinvention Committee webpage on the town website.

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Guilderland Police Now On Nextdoor

Chief Dan McNally is pleased to announce that the Guilderland Police Department will be now be utilizing Nextdoor to help make our neighborhoods stronger and safer.

The Guilderland Police Department plans to share important news and emergency notifications that are relevant to local neighborhoods on the social network. The department is not able to see any of the content on your neighborhood except for the direct replies to our posts. This ensures your Nextdoor experience remains private.

The Guilderland Police look forward to communicating with you on Next-door to make Guilderland an even better place to live. Visit us over at Nextdoor.

Ralston Joins GPD

Officer Sean Ralston, Guilderland Police Department's newest officer was sworn in on September 4, 2020, at an informal swearing in ceremony at the Guilderland Town Hall.

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Officer Ralston comes to Guilderland having previously worked for the Altamont Police Department. Following field training he will be assigned to the patrol division.

A formal ceremony will be held at a later date.