HIGHLAND — The Town of Highland swore in Fallsburg Police Sgt. Jason Edwards as a patrol supervisor for the Highland Constabulary during its July town board meeting, continuing the town’s effort to rebuild and professionalize the agency.

Constabulary Chief Jason Sarnoff said Edwards is a full-time police sergeant with the Fallsburg Police Department and a state-certified emergency medical technician. Until Edwards retires from Fallsburg Police Department in April 2027, he will be double-timing for both departments. 

Sarnoff said Edwards brings substantial law enforcement, supervisory, emergency response and training experience to the constabulary.

“We are very pleased to have you join our ranks, and we look forward to the experience he will bring to our patrol operations in the capacity of patrol supervisor,” Sarnoff said before Edwards took the oath of office.

The board also moved forward with changes to the town’s court security structure involving court security officers Vincent Reilly and Patrick Vinette.

Sarnoff said a review of the constabulary’s policies, training, equipment, state access and personnel appointments found that the existing court officer arrangement should be replaced with a clearer statutory structure for the armed peace officer duties required by Highland Town Court.

Under the proposed change, Reilly and Vinette would be appointed as part-time town constables assigned specifically to court security. Their duties would not include routine patrols.

Sarnoff said the new structure would provide clearer statutory authority, standardized training, annual firearms qualifications, departmental supervision and recognition by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

The appointments are contingent upon approval from Sullivan County Civil Service.

Sarnoff emphasized that the change was not a criticism of Reilly or Vinette or a reduction in court security.

“It is a corrective action intended to place the function on the clearest and most defensible legal and administrative footing available to the town,” he said.

Supervisor John Pizzolato said Reilly and Vinette have served the town’s court system for several years and that officials wanted to retain their experience while bringing the positions under the constabulary’s formal structure.

“Our goal throughout this process has been simple: identify areas where the organization could be strengthened, correct them responsibly and build a professional constabulary that serves the town well for many years,” Sarnoff said.