Police Agencies Sign MOA with SBU


Countless hours of preparation and practice become policy Monday afternoon when four police agencies signed an Emergency Preparedness Law Enforcement Memorandum of Agreement at St. Bonaventure University.

The MOA puts on paper the “common understanding and agreement of each other’s responsibilities and roles in the event that there is an emergency situation at St. Bonaventure,” said Rick Trietley, vice provost for student life and head of the university’s Emergency Preparedness Planning Group.

Signing the MOA were representatives from the New York State Police, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department, and the Olean and Allegany police departments, as well as Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president.

Representing the police agencies were Major Christopher Cummings of the New York State Police; Sheriff Dennis John of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department; Allegany Police Chief Dominic Papasergi; and Sgt. Michael Vitello of the Olean Police Department.

State Assemblyman Joseph Giglio and Sister Margaret also spoke.

“When we began this process, some doubted that we could ever achieve the level of cooperation and collaboration that would be necessary to develop and implement this,” Trietley said. “Well, I am proud to say that we did not experience any of that negative energy. Rather, I observed a group of professionals dedicated to only one thing — the safety and security of all members of this campus community in the event of a life-threatening emergency here at St. Bonaventure.”

Comprehensive emergency planning began in earnest at the university in September, and culminated with a campuswide disaster drill and lockdown March 25 involving a shooter and hostage scenario. More than 60 area police and emergency responders took part in the drill.

“I feel very good about what we have accomplished,” Trietley said. “This agreement helps take guesswork out of the process should an actual emergency occur. This should give students, their parents and the campus community a sense of security that there is a plan in place.”

Pictured, Rick Trietley (standing) choreographs the signing of five copies of the MOA during the Monday afternoon ceremony in the Quick Center for the Arts. Seated from right are: Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president; Major Christopher Cummings of the New York State Police; Sheriff Dennis John of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department; Sgt. Michael Vitello of the Olean Police Department; and Allegany Police Chief Dominic Papasergi.

Photo courtesy of St. Bonventure University

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