Sheriff’s Office wins approval for grant-funded specialty vehicle, notes staffing shortages

Undersheriff Tammy Ryndock presented multiple transmittals for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office that the committee approved 5-0 on April 7. The actions included authorization to obtain a replacement marked patrol vehicle and an amendment to the 2026 budget, an agreement with Oak Park Marina for free boat space, and authorization to advertise bids for a specialty all-terrain emergency response vehicle and associated equipment that Ryndock said would be fully grant funded with additional Emergency Management support, resulting in no cost to the county.

Ryndock also presented three out-of-state travel requests (Niagara Falls, Canada; Orlando, Florida; Greensburg, Pennsylvania); all travel requests were approved 5-0. She reported two new recruits beginning active duty and a court security officer transitioning to road patrol, but noted ongoing recruitment challenges for road patrol positions and that the county jail was operating with five vacancies. Ryndock commended the Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services, and partner agencies for their collaboration on a recent high-level abuse investigation.

On compliance, she said the Domestic Abuse Response Team established roughly one year ago is nearing full compliance with New York State requirements and that the Sheriff’s Office has received an OSHA compliance letter and is actively addressing required items. Ryndock also told the committee that the FBI is involved with the Marshall Farms situation and that related operations in the U.K. have been shut down; activity has shifted to the U.S. and law enforcement partners are coordinating, though no specific local site visit was scheduled.