LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sergeant Robert G. Hugus upon the occa-
sion of his designation as the recipient of a George M. Searle Memorial
Award at the 35th Annual New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony on
May 19, 2011

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding; this Legislative Body is moved to honor
those who preserve and protect such values, lauding particularly their
unwavering courage and dedication in the daily performance of their
duties; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Sergeant Robert G. Hugus, of the State Police Academy, upon the occasion
of his designation as the recipient of a George M. Searle Memorial
Award; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Robert G. Hugus received this esteemed award at the
35th Annual State Police Awards Day Ceremony, held at the New York State
Police Academy in Albany on Thursday, May 19, 2011, in recognition of
the significant contributions he has made to the training of Division
Members; and
WHEREAS, In early 2010, the Superintendent determined that the Divi-
sion of New York State Police needed to create a professional unit dedi-
cated to responding to any and all situations where group activities
created a risk to public safety; and
WHEREAS, The Mobile Field Unit was thus created to be a well-trained,
highly disciplined, and properly equipped unit divided into four
geographical sub-units of 25 Members, available to respond and maintain
the peace in circumstances when large, potentially disorderly groups
might assemble; and
WHEREAS, In September 2010, it was determined that New York State
Police, accepting the Trooper Foundation's donation of 153 tasers, would
for the first time issue tasers to Members, and as in the case of the
creation of the Mobile Field Unit, the development and presentation of
an entire training program would be required before the tasers could be
employed by State Police Members in the field; and
WHEREAS, Selected to lead these important projects, Sergeant Robert
Hugus of the State Police Academy and Trooper Timothy Kirch of Troop G
worked to research best practices, develop training curriculums, train
instructors, and assist in the actual delivery of training for the two
new Division initiatives, the Mobile Field Unit and the Taser Program;
and
WHEREAS, As the Mobile Field Unit was a new initiative, Sergeant Hugus
and Trooper Kirch worked with members of the Massachusetts State Police
Special Emergency Response Team and received input from former military
Division Members to develop a training program from the ground up; and
WHEREAS, Once the objectives of the Mobile Field Unit were estab-
lished, Sergeant Hugus and Trooper Kirch assisted with the development
of the training curriculum and created Defensive Tactics lesson plans;
and
WHEREAS, They also led training sessions for the Defensive Tactics
instructors in the methods and techniques which would be taught and
assisted in the training of the Unit members; in May, 2010, the initial
training was delivered during two separate four day training blocks,
after which Sergeant Hugus and Trooper Kirch, additionally, developed a
PowerPoint training program; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Hugus and Trooper Kirch were also called upon to
develop the Taser Program training curriculum and to preside over the
delivery of the training; and
WHEREAS, They met with representatives from the taser manufacturer and
received the trainer instruction; they worked with Division offices to
develop protocols for the use of tasers in the Field, ensured that the
Defensive Tactics instructors were trained to act as Taser Instructors,
and administered the distribution of the tasers for training and for
Field use; and
WHEREAS, In November and December 2010, Defensive Tactics instructors
trained every Zone Sergeant, SIC Sergeant, and Sergeant in the Field in
the protocols for taser use and how to use the recordkeeping software
and, in December 2010, under the supervision of Sergeant Hugus and with
Trooper Kirch's assistance, 588 Members were trained and designated as
qualified Taser End Users; and
WHEREAS, The efforts of Sergeant Hugus and Trooper Kirch to develop a
training program and deliver the initial and in-service training to the
Mobile Field Unit ensures that when the need arises, the New York State
Police will be available to provide a professional response; and
WHEREAS, Similarly, through their efforts tasers were deployed in
December 2010 and are available for use in the Field as an aid to
enforce the laws of the State, protect its citizens, and prevent unnec-
essary injury to New York State Police Members; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Hugus and Trooper Kirch continue to refine and
improve these programs in addition to continuing to provide instruction
in these areas during in-service training; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with the finest traditions of the New York State
Police, Sergeant Robert G. Hugus has distinguished himself by his exem-
plary achievements with regard to the development and introduction of
the Mobile Field Unit and the Taser Program and by his ongoing outstand-
ing performance on behalf of the New York State Police; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated efforts of public servants, such as Sergeant
Robert G. Hugus, who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation
of order and the protection of others are worthy of the full praise of
this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New York; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sergeant Robert G. Hugus upon the occasion of his designation as
the recipient of a George M. Searle Memorial Award at the 35th Annual
New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony on May 19, 2011; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sergeant Robert G. Hugus.