Leaders of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department patrol division union assert that Sheriff Michael Schiff and his deputies were never informed about a security lapse that allowed a suspect, Sincere McNeal, to smuggle a loaded handgun into the county jail in August. The union discovered the incident through a Times Union report, where it was revealed that McNeal was able to carry the weapon throughout his police interview, court arraignment, and booking without detection, leading to significant concerns about jail protocols and staff communication.
Determined to clarify the situation, union president Jack Harb emphasized the seriousness of not being briefed on such critical matters, noting that neither the deputies involved in the arrest nor the union’s executive board were previously aware of the breach. The situation escalated after it was revealed that McNeal left the jail with the coat containing the handgun, prompting scrutiny over the actions of the sheriff’s office, which claimed there was no intent to conceal the event.
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