Power & Politics

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

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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.

    • 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.

      • 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.

        • 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.

          • 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.”

            • 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.

              • 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.

                • Scams Against Seniors & Community Protection

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

                  • 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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                      Power & PoliticsBy WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom Eschen
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