Tuff Ey Retirement

September 1, 2009

Chief James W. Tuffey Announces Retirement Chief James W. Tuffey today announced his retirement effective Saturday, September 5, 2009 after a distinguished 24 year career with the Albany Police Department. Chief Tuffey was sworn in as police chief in December of 2005. Under his leadership the department achieved overwhelming success in reducing violent crime as well as introducing technology based policing throughout the department. Violent crime was reduced by over 20 percent under the Chief’s leadership through new initiatives that included; getting more officers on the street through a reorganization of the department, utilizing crime mapping technology to break down crime patterns and becoming one of the progressive police departments in the State. Chief Tuffey, who retired in 1995 as a detective with the Albany Police Department, went on to become Public Safety Commissioner with the City of Cohoes, an Assistant Commissioner with Department of Environmental Conservation and Director of the State Emergency Management Office before returning to Albany Police Department as it’s chief. Mayor Jennings appointed Chief Tuffey on December 19, 2005 to lead the 328 member police department. Chief Tuffey stated, “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the great City of Albany and its citizens. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished during my tenure and I was extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to lead such a professional and dedicated organization. I thank everyone who has supported me and I look forward to my future endeavors.” The Chief will not be available for comment today. Please respect those wishes.