Walt Mackney for Sheriff

Who is Walt Mackney?

 

POLICE PROFESSIONAL:

Walt’s police career has spanned over 39 years beginning as a patrolman for the Town of Cuba Police Department in 1979. During that time Walt also worked as a K-9 handler with his German Shepherd “Max”. During his time with Cuba, Walt also worked as a part-time Deputy Sheriff under Sheriffs Reynard Meacham and Lawrence Scholes.

In 1984 Walt joined the New York State Police serving for a year at SP Bath before transferring to the Alfred-Almond Satellite in Allegany County. He was a Field Training Officer, helping new Troopers learn the ropes. As a uniform Trooper, Walt was also assigned as a Basic School Counselor at the New York State Police Academy and was a member of the State Police Training Advisory Board.

In 1992 Trooper Mackney was promoted to Investigator Mackney, assigned to SP Wellsville and investigating major cases ranging from assaults to homicides.  He received training as a Hostage Negotiator, Polygraph Operator and Arson Investigator. Walt worked in conjunction with the Allegany County Fire Service as a Fire Investigator.

In 2001 Walt was again promoted to Senior Investigator. He was assigned to the NYSP Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) and placed in charge of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force working out of Olean. Here Walt commanded a diverse group of police professionals including members of the Cattaraugus, Allegany, Wyoming and Erie County Sheriff’s Offices, the New York State Police and the Cities of Olean and Salamanca.

In 2014, after retiring from the New York State Police, Walt returned to work part-time for the Town of Cuba Police Department. Additionally, Walt was hired by the Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker to coordinate the Steuben County District Attorney’s Drug Initiative.

 

SUPERVISOR/LEADERSHIP:

As the Commander of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force for 13 years, Walt supervised the day to day operations of the unit including narcotics investigations, raids and arrests, scheduling, receipt and disbursements of funds and monies, Court preparation and evidence, to name a few. During arrest raids conducted in both Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties, he was responsible for scheduling and coordinating as many as 100 officers from numerous local, County, State and Federal departments, including K-9 handlers and SWAT teams. Walt held the permanent rank of uniform sergeant in the New York State Police.

As an Investigator for the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office, Walt continues to help supervise narcotics operations, again working with multiple agencies from all levels of government.

 

INSTRUCTOR:

Walt Mackney is a certified DCJS (Division of Criminal Justice Services) general topics instructor, firearms instructor and domestic violence instructor. He will soon be certified as a Master Instructor. He has taught at the New York State Police Academy, the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy and for various Law Enforcement Agencies including; The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office Instructor Development Course, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office Instructor Development Course and the SUNY Alfred University Police Instructor Development Course.

Walt is also certified as an instructor for ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) a nationally recognized training program sponsored by Texas State University in conjunction with the FBI. Walt is certified to instruct ALERRT Level I, ERASE (Exterior Response to Active Shooter Events) and CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) and has taught numerous courses throughout Steuben and Allegany County.

Walt is also an NRA certified pistol instructor and has taught women’s firearms courses through the Cuba Police Department. Walt is also a firearms instructor for the Cuba Police Department and the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office and conducts civilian armed guard courses through Cuba PD.

On the civilian side, Walt has spent almost 40 years in the Martial Arts, holding Master Instructor certification in three systems and has taught adult and children’s classes at Alfred Martial Arts as well as conducting numerous seminars across New York State.

 

FAMILY MAN:

First and foremost, Walt Mackney is a family man. In 1985 he married his beautiful bride and soul mate, Deborah. Together they raised two wonderful children in their home in the Town of Andover. Their son, Corwin, also resides in Allegany County and works as a police officer for SUNY Alfred University Police and their daughter, Amanda, who lives in the Saint Petersburg, Florida area where she works as a speech pathologist and is currently engaged to a member of the Saint Petersburg Police Department. (Do we sense a pattern here?) The other common trait for the Mackney clan is dogs, in particular German Shepherds. Since his first K-9, Max, that Walt had at Cuba PD, he has continued to own and train German Shepherds. His current Shepherd, Gunner, is Deb’s constant companion and protector. The love of German Shepherds apparently rubbed off on the kids. Amanda has two, Gemini and Kai, and Corwin has Gunner’s sibling, Shadow.

 

Walt is looking forward to continuing his service to the people of Allegany County by serving as Sheriff. Please vote Walt Mackney for Allegany County Sheriff!