By Frank Parlato
A dispute is deepening in the Town of Tonawanda, where Police Chief James Stauffiger’s efforts to enforce internal discipline have drawn fire from the local police union. At the center of the conflict is the chief’s move to penalize an officer for dishonesty.
The Town of Tonawanda Police Union issued a vote of no confidence in the chief.
The dispute’s origin lies in the disciplinary action taken against former Officer Bikramjit Singh, who was accused of mishandling potential evidence and making false statements. Chief James Stauffiger initiated misconduct charges.
Singh resigned. The police union members stopped writing tickets.
After 22 days, union members, facing Taylor law violators, started writing tickets again (they still face double-wages penalties for the days they orchestrated an enforcement slowdown.)
Union members have circulated lawn signs, launched a dedicated website, and disrupted town board meetings with vocal demands for the chief’s removal.
They stopped writing tickets.
In a show of solidarity, the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police issued a formal letter supporting Chief James Stauffiger. Signed by over two dozen police chiefs across the state, the letter was sent to Town Supervisor Joseph Emminger
The letter read in part:
It is deeply concerning that Chief Stauffiger is under attack for performing one of his primary functions, maintaining discipline within the department…
No chief wants to be the bad guy. No chief enjoys disciplining employees. However, it is a vital task that must be performed. Without discipline there is no order. Without order there is no integrity. Without integrity there is no public trust. …
We … commend Chief James Stauffiger for standing firm on the matter of discipline. Particularly on a matter of untruthfulness. Untruthfulness is not a minor offense. Police Officers cannot be untruthful. There is no greater assault on the public trust than an untruthful police officer. …
James Stauffiger is an outstanding Police Chief, and he has our unconditional support.
The list of Chiefs of Police:
Chief (Ret.) Patrick Phelan
Ilion Police Department
