Cole has experience for sheriff's job

In June of this year, I retired from law enforcement, having served over 27 years with four different police departments before making my final career stop with the State Police in Wayland where I spent my last twenty years. Needless to say I have worked for a multitude of supervisors along the way, each one having their own concept of how to manage and how to lead. Being able to inspire the men and women in your charge to be productive and professional is truly a gift. Gaining their respect and admiration in addition, can be extremely difficult. I remember one man who did exactly that and I was very fortunate to have worked for him for 10 out of my 20 years with the Troopers.

I remember when Sergeant Dave Cole was first assigned to command the Wayland barracks. Dave was instrumental in the design and development of a new and much larger station. He acquired additional patrol vehicles and nearly doubled the number of troopers assigned to a very busy and understaffed station, which at that time covered an area from Arkport to Middlesex, NY. Dave embedded himself and those he commanded in the community and established excellent working relationships with area agencies, including EMS and fire departments. Dave was the first station commander in New York State to acquire AED (defibrillator) units for his patrol vehicles. He had a "hands on" approach to supervision, taking active roles in criminal investigations and serious incidents and often spent several hours of his off duty time assisting members of the public and making sure his station was in order. It was a well-established public fact that if there were a group of vandals causing mischief in your neighborhood…if there was a drug house on your block…if you knew about an underage drinking party…you called Dave Cole. He knows how to get things done.

Dave's leadership ability was well known across New York State. Whether it was the State Fair detail in Syracuse or the Native American peace keeping detail in the Adirondacks region, someone had heard about Dave Cole. He led by example and asked no one to do anything that he wouldn't do himself. You might have seen him scrubbing out the inside of a patrol car one minute and knee deep into a murder investigation the next. No job too small, no task too large.

I write this letter not because he asked me to, or because he is a friend, but because I know first hand what he is capable of and what he has accomplished. I also know first hand of his honor, integrity and dedication. I write this letter to tell the people of Steuben County that Dave Cole has worked tirelessly for you, both as a Trooper and as Undersheriff. He is ready to command again.
Jon Meacham
Hornell