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Jackie Salvatore, Columbia County Sheriff, March 13th, 2026
Episode 123

Jackie Salvatore, Columbia County Sheriff, March 13th, 2026

New Columbia County Sheriff talks breaking barriers, ICE, culture, mental health and more

Power & Politics · WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom Eschen

March 13, 202637m 43s

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Show Notes

Jackie Salvatore, the first woman of color to be elected Sheriff in New York State, joined Power & Politics for a wide ranging interview on Thursday evening.

Salvatore, a Democrat who had been Columbia County Undersheriff since 2022, was elected in November 2025. 

Chapters:

  1. Historic First & Early Months in Office

    • [0:00:00 – 0:04:30]
    • Becoming sheriff, being the first woman of color sheriff in NYS, key breaks in her career.

  2. Women in Policing & Personal Identity

    • [0:04:30 – 0:06:30]
    • Changes for women in law enforcement, stereotypes, and separating the job from who you are.

  3. Immigration, Warrants & Technology

    • [0:06:30 – 0:12:30]
    • Philosophy on ICE cooperation, jail vs. traffic-stop policies, and use of cameras for investigations—not immigration.

  4. Community Roots, Culture & Recruitment

    • [0:12:30 – 0:21:00]
    • Being from Hudson, expectations of deputies, body cameras, community events, morale, and recruiting through positive engagement.

  5. Race, Representation & Public Perception

    • [0:21:00 – 0:25:00]
    • Growing up with parents from segregated schools, becoming the sixth Black woman in NYSP, and seeing “people as people.”

  6. Mental Health, Training & Safety

    • [0:25:00 – 0:27:30]
    • Mobile crisis response, why officers should still be present, and ongoing training with county mental health.

  7. Opioids, Harm Reduction & Treatment in Jail

    • [0:27:30 – 0:31:00]
    • Overdose trends, medically assisted treatment in jail, access issues, and Narcan/harm-reduction philosophy.

  8. Scams Against Seniors & Community Protection

    • [0:31:00 – 0:33:30]
    • Common scams, financial safeguards, and encouraging seniors to call police.

  9. Vision for Columbia County & Success

    • [0:33:30 – 0:36:56]
    • Post‑COVID population shifts, why the job is rewarding, specialized units, and her definition of a successful department.

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