The Allegany County Sheriff’s Department has been asked to attend, large support for Griffith is expected
By Andrew Harris, photo of Griffith provided
Statement from Maureen Bass, The attorney for Alfred Police Chief Paul Griffith says the chief tried to hire the first Black part-time police officer in department history, which led to his suspension.
The officer, who was not hired, is also a military veteran, said Maureen Bass, the attorney for Griffith.
The Sun first reported this news and now has the first official statement from Griffith.
A regular meeting of the Village of Alfred is set for this evening and set to be a contentious public meeting. Supporters of Paul Griffith, the longtime chief of police who was placed on administrative leave by the village board.
Those who wish to speak on Paul’s behalf will have exactly three minutes in which to do so. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m., with the doors opened at 6:30 p.m.
Supporters of Paul Griffith are asked to arrive at 7 West University Drive at 615pm, according to a private Facebook event by Tammy McQueen Kokot and Alfred Area Communities/Friends FOR Alfred Vill. Police Chief Paul Griffith
Bass said in a statement on behalf of Griffin:
“Chief Griffith has dedicated his entire 27-year career to serving and protecting the residents of Alfred, and it is beyond distressful to suddenly face unprecedented levels of bias and political interference from the Village administration. This interference came to a head with the Chief’s unjustified suspension, preventing him from fulfilling his sworn duties and serving the Village.
The suspension was apparently triggered by the Chief’s recommendation that the Village hire a military veteran from the Police Academy who, if hired, would have become the first African American part-time police officer in Alfred’s history.
It was the first and only time in his tenure as Police Chief that the Village Board rejected his recommendation to hire an applicant.
In the hours following their decision, Village officials lashed out at Chief Griffith, attacking his integrity and demanding his retirement. When he refused, the Deputy Mayor tried to push him out by placing him in a performance improvement plan with the duties of a junior patrol officer.
When the Chief still refused to abandon his post, the Mayor placed him on leave.
Chief Griffith has retained legal counsel as he considers how to best protect his reputation and ensure that the residents of Alfred continue to receive the proper, ethical and effective police protection to which they are entitled.”
Read our previous reporting:
