February Meeting:
Basic Correction Officer Course
The ESLETN in conjunction with DCJS have partnered up to review and assist in the rewriting of the Basic Correction Officers Course. There have been several meetings, the next meeting will be announced soon. The meetings for the rewrite are held at the Albany County Correction Facility. All are welcome to attend and get involved, this is a huge task that has to be completed. The results will effect all counties in New York so your input is needed.
ESLETN Meeting Minutes – February 6, 2026
Zone 5 Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy
121 Erie Blvd. Schenectady, NY 12305
Meeting Called Order: 1018 hours by the organizations President Chelsea Bolster
- Date: February 6, 2026
- Meeting Start Time: 1018 hours.
- Meeting End Time: 1130 hours.
- Location: Zone 5 Schenectady NY
- Meeting Type: Monthly- Empire State Law Enforcement Training Network (ESLETN)
- Facilitator(s): President Chelsea Bolster and Vice President Chris Arciero
- Meeting Minutes Taken by: Secretary Brian Smith
Counties / Agencies / Other Attending Meeting:
- Saratoga, Albany, Hamilton, Ulster, Schoharie, Fulton, Putnam, Washington, Schenectady, HVCC and DCJS
- 20 members present from 10 counties
- Meeting Minutes: Meeting minutes read to members at meeting and sent out via email
- Treasurers Report: As of 2/6/26 the balance is: $11,497.52
Committee Reports:
- Web Site: NA
- Facebook: N/A
- Scholarships: N/A
- Basic Rewrite: Continuing to progress
5. Correspondence- N/A
Old Business:
- DCJS- DCJS is hosting the Strategic Leadership & Succession Planning course in Monroe County on February 12th and 13th, 2026; Firearms Instructors Workshop March 2nd through the 6th, 2026 in Westchester County and the Jail Time Credit and Calculations Course on March 4th and 5th, 2026 in Washington County is full; see the DCJS Calendar to view all other training opportunities. Newly promoted Captain- Justin Mills from Steuben County has been added to the BCCO rewrite advisory panel. DCJS is considering the implementation of a second survey to gather more input for the BCCO rewrite. The survey if implemented will be sent out to the same groups as the last survey.
- Golf Tournament: Golf tournament flyers were out to the vendors and team Captains. Some donations for the golf tournament have been received totaling around $3,000.
- Early reminder to begin making the potential selections for trainer and training coordinator of the year for 2026.
New Business:
- Request made by Brad for a donation of $500.00 to go towards ordering coffee mugs for the golf tournament. Motion was accepted by Brian Baker and Sean O’Brien.
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Around the Counties:
- Saratoga: Started the in-service for 2026, continuing final preparations for the March 2026 Unified Basic Corrections Academy with Albany County; working on Policy updates and agency reporting guidelines; updating HALT lesson plan and the Field Training program manual; seeking a supervisor’s course, DT & Firearms Instructor courses and IDC.
- Albany: Looking for a BLS Instructors course. Jail population is at 600; hired seven officers; had six promotions for supervisory staff. Planning on hosting a future RBT school and working with Saratoga for the spring Unified Basic Academy.
- Hamilton- Jail population of one and have one boarded out; send three to the fire training course and had the first meeting on the recreation yard project.
- Fulton- Down five Officers. Need a DT and Firearms Instructors course in 2026 to add to the agency’s instructors.
- Ulster- Hired one new officer; sending two to the academy in Rensselaer County; in need of a firearms Instructor’s course and working on policy rewrites.
- Schenectady: Continuing to hire off the T&E exam; wrapping up the DT/OC Peace Officers course at Zone 5; we are willing to assist other agencies with academies and planning on another IDC around March or April of 2026.
- Washington: Sending one to the academy in Rensselaer Co., three to the academy in Saratoga Co. and one part time officer to the academy in Warren County; started CPR / First Aid in-service; and the hiring process continues.
- Putnam: Down six officers; need a spring academy and we started our annual in-service.
- Schoharie: Sgt. Brian Baker took over the coordinators position in the Training Division; working on in-service for Sallyport to enhance staff learning; sending five to the academy in Saratoga Co.; working on revisions for the in-service training program; down three officers and we have a newly elected Sheriff.
- HVCC: Updating the training for armed security and recently hired a firearms Instructor.
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N/A
Next Meeting(s):
- Planned Locations for 2026:
March meeting location TBD
Additional Notes: N/A
Adjourned: Meeting adjourned at 1130 hours. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Respectfully Submitted,
Secretary Brian Smith
- Request made by Brad for a donation of $500.00 to go towards ordering coffee mugs for the golf tournament. Motion was accepted by Brian Baker and Sean O’Brien.
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