Wellsville Police change policy on release of mug shots

Wellsville Police Chief Tim O'Grady

Up until recently, most law enforcement agencies released voluntarily, or by media request, a booking photo picture...often referred to as mug shot. Governor Cuomo and colleagues were not happy with the policy. When the new fiscal year state budget was passed, it included a legislative change to would prohibit the release of mug shots, except under limited exceptions. State agencies, namely, the New York State Police, immediately complied. They have ceased releasing a booking photo. The Wellsville Police Department (WPD), along with many other agencies, continued the practice. However, the policy has now changed in Wellsville. Police Chief Tim O'Grady tells Wellsville Regional News and WQRW radio "Yeah, we changed our policy in May when we were finally notified by the State." O'Grady added that "we will release a mug shot if we determine that it's in the interest of public safety." The type of images now released by Wellsville PD will be a wanted person who may be violent, a sexual predator who may be violent, or drug dealers.
As the position of the Wellsville Police Department has changed, other larger agencies are bucking the state. Many Sheriff's, to include Livingston and Steuben, routinely release photos.