Episode Details

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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