Millerton police officer named ‘Top Cop’

 MILLERTON — It’s not every police officer who can claim to be a “Top Cop.” But Millerton Police Department Officer Michael Veeder can do exactly that, after being named top cop for winning an Outstanding Police Officer Award for making the most DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) arrests from Oct. 1, 2014, to Sept. 30, 2015. Of those 20 arrests, all were in either the town of North East or the village of Millerton.

“I  was recognized for taking the most drivers off the road, but by all means I wasn’t the only one,” he said with modesty. “There are lots of great other officers in my department, and in Dutchess County, doing a great job who weren’t recognized. But to me it’s a pat on the back for doing a good job and it makes me feel good knowing that the roads are a little safer.”

“Mike has really stood out in his commitment to the STOP-DWI program and is one of only two part-time police officers being recognized,” said Millerton Police Officer-in-Charge David Rudin. 

The award was bestowed upon Veeder at a ceremony in Poughkeepsie on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Poughkeepsie Grand hotel. It was the 21st annual STOP-DWI Program’s Law Enforcement Awards Luncheon and honored seven law enforcement officers throughout Dutchess County.

“These awards symbolize the dedication and vigilance our law enforcement officials continue to display to keep our local residents as safe as possible on the road — not just during the upcoming holiday season but year round,” said Dutchess County Legislator Kenneth Roman (R-5). “While this ceremony rightly brings attention to the enforcement efforts around Dutchess County, we must remember we all share in the responsibility to keep our roadways safe, making decisions that don’t endanger other drivers or ourselves.”

STOP-DWI’s mission, according to the Dutchess County Executive’s Office, is to “deter drunk/drugged driving through enhanced enforcement, prosecution, rehabilitation and education services.”

In addition to Veeder, New York State Police Trooper Ulysses Matsoukas of Troop K Barracks in Dover Plains was honored.

“[We] celebrate the brave law enforcement officers who protect our roads, [and] their efforts to rid Dutchess County of impaired drivers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” said Dutchess County STOP-DWI Coordinator William C. Johnson. “Motorists who choose to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs will be arrested — no excuses, no warnings — as Dutchess County simply does not tolerate one driver’s bad choices to adversely affect those with whom they share the road.”

And there’s always an alternative to driving while impaired, said Veeder.

“Usually I tell people there are two choices you could make,” he said. “One is to get a safe ride home, which is always the best way, even if you only had a couple of drinks and don’t think you’re impaired. Hopefully you make the right one and get a safe ride home. That’s the ultimate goal for me as an officer and for other officers.

“There’s always a way home,” Veeder added. “The thing I have people tell me is they don’t have a ride home, but after they’re arrested they always seem to make that one phone call and get a safe ride home, whether from a taxi, friend or neighbor. When people tell me that, I kind of tell them that there are plenty of rides and plenty of people to call.”

Veeder said he trained for the STOP-DWI Program, among others, with nine months in the police academy, as required  by New York state. Officer Veeder went to one recent class entitled ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement). He said the two-day class was especially helpful.

“That was two 16-hour classes that focused on impaired driving and what to look for and different clues and signs,” he said. “I was fortunate enough that the Millerton Police Department sent me to that.”

The bottom line, he said, is to make sure anyone who gets behind the wheel is sober.

“If they’re a threat to anybody on the road — if my wife and kids are on the road and they hit them — that’s a real problem,” the officer said. “New York state is really tough with impaired drivers, which is good. It teaches the operator if you go out and have a good time that’s fine, just get a safe ride home.”