INTRODUCTION
Although Bush’s distinguished career includes eight years in the service of the US Marine Corps and three decades as a law officer, neither his rigorous boot camp training nor the subsequent diversity of demanding boots on the ground experiences covered how to do the impossible well against the unprecedented backdrop of a coronavirus pandemic.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply shortages represent but one of the COVID challenges that had to be overcome by Ballston Spa Police Chief David Bush and the officers serving under his command during 2020.
Although Bush’s distinguished career includes eight years in the service of the US Marine Corps and three decades as a law officer, neither his rigorous boot camp training nor the subsequent diversity of demanding boots on the ground experiences covered how to do the impossible well against the unprecedented backdrop of a coronavirus pandemic.
And yet, as the following Q & A that transpired between Bush and Ballston Spa Living Editor Ann Hauprich in October 2020 demonstrates, the village police chief is striving to do precisely that out of a combined sense of duty to the 18 officers he leads and the community of 6,000 residents they are sworn to serve and protect.
Q: After graduating with the BSHS Class of 1979, you served first as a US Marine and then with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department before transferring to the Ballston Spa Police Department in 1998. These combined educational, training and law enforcement experiences helped prepare you for the leadership challenges you would face upon being promoted to the rank of Police Chief in 2016. Upon learning in March of NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo’s decision to declare a State of Emergency, what were some of the first actions you took to prepare and protect the officers who serve under your command?
A: Initially we relied upon the information that was available from the State regarding social distancing and the use PPE. We also followed the suggested practices of the NYS Police and the NYS Sheriffs Association regarding officer safety while on patrol.
Q: How did the Ballston Spa Police Department cope with early PPE supply shortages, including protective facial coverings for officers?
The most rewarding to date has been the ability of the Ballston Spa Police to continue serving the 6,000 residents of the village and the thousands who pass through each day without skipping a beat. The outpouring of support from the community has been amazing. The list of citizens and professionals who have shown their support of the Ballston Spa Police with gift cards, baked goods, meals, greeting cards and letters of support even a bottle of wine for each officer with a special label just for our officers. The effect on our department from such support in the light of the negative view of police in general and the ongoing COVID pandemic has been refreshing and morale-boosting.
Q: What additional precautionary measures were taken early on in the COVID-19 crisis to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus when officers were dispatched to crime scenes, had to make court appearances, etc.?
A: We tried to maintain social distancing as much as possible while on calls for service, however, the nature of the job does not always allow for a safe distance. In such cases the use of PPE was our protection. As far as court appearances we employed the use of Skype for arraignments with judges. We also offered face covering for those who had none.
Q: Have any additional health-related precautions had to been taken by officers while on duty in more recent months?
A: We have been fortunate with the regards our health at this point. By following the recommended precautions, we have been able to continue to serve the village.
Q: With 20/20 hindsight, what has been the most challenging part of being the Ballston Spa Police Chief during 2020?
A: COVID is just one piece of the challenge we have had to overcome in 2020. With the court system on pause and the restrictions with bail reform there has been an increase of crime affecting quality of life. It’s frustrating having to explain to a victim of a crime why the offender is free and continues to engage in criminal activity. It has also been difficult responding to reports of restaurants not complying with the Governor’s Executive Order, knowing full well how badly these folks are hurting.
Q: What has been the most rewarding?
A: The most rewarding to date has been the ability of the Ballston Spa Police to continue serving the 6,000 residents of the village and the thousands who pass through each day without skipping a beat. The outpouring of support from the community has been amazing. The list of citizens and professionals who have shown their support of the Ballston Spa Police with gift cards, baked goods, meals, greeting cards and letters of support even a bottle of wine for each officer with a special label just for our officers. The effect on our department from such support in the light of the negative view of police in general and the ongoing COVID pandemic has been refreshing and morale-boosting.
Q: What has been the greatest leadership lesson you’ve learned – or rediscovered — in the course of the pandemic?
A: I believe the public demands leadership from their police officers. It is essential in doing what they do.
Q: Is there anything else you would care to share with villagers during these uncertain times?
A: I would like the citizens of Ballston Spa to know we are here and on the job. It’s a difficult time for everyone and we need to work together.
Meet the police officers who serve and
protect the Village of Ballston Spa
A heart-warming tale about the occasion when a village police officer assisted a couple on their wedding day only to have them return to the police station on their first anniversary in 2020 to thank him again for his compassion and kindness can be found elsewhere within this heritage preservation project. (Click here for story.)
Since stories of law officers going Above & Beyond the call of duty rarely make headlines, BallstonSpaLiving.com hopes to add more articles in the New Year that will showcase examples of other instances involving village officers have done good deeds, expecting absolutely nothing in return.
In the meantime, we hope you will join us in thanking the officers whose names follow in alphabetical order, accompanied by the year when they joined the Ballston Spa Police Department: Kyle Basta (2019), Ed Braim (2015), John Cioccke (2016), Stan DeLong (2003), Michael Demartino (1989), Cody Fabian (2018), Timothy Hajec (2020), Greg Hafensteiner (2017), Todd Ives (2006), Thomas McDonough (2016), Hector Monge (2017), Scott Ostrander (1988), Arcini Polyak (2013), Stephen Porcello (2019), Ariel Santiago (2018), Grant Socha (2019), Shawn Thorpe (2019) and Michael Welch (1988).
EDITOR’S NOTE: As of October 2020, Police Officer Hafensteiner was on military leave, serving in Afghanistan.