Lt. Koskinen: 18 years dedicated to county service

Third-generation Trumansburg native Lt. Kyle Koskinen recently celebrated his 18th year with the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department.

“I had worked for the Ithaca Police Department and made the move to transfer to the Sheriff’s Department in 2003,” Koskinen said. “I have now been here for 18 and a half years.”

Having grown up in Trumansburg and graduated from Charles O. Dickerson High School in 2001, Koskinen has deep roots in the Trumansburg community.

“My grandfather started a chicken and pig farm in 1953 in Trumansburg,” Koskinen said. “When he passed in 2013, my father Roger took it over and now rents its farmland out. In 1983, my father started Koskinen Collision and Towing in Trumansburg as well.”

After graduating from Corning Community College and completing his police academy training, Koskinen was also a critical member of the Tompkins County SWAT team from 2006 until this past January and was team leader by the time he retired from the team.

“People tend to think that the SWAT team is intimidating and all weaponry,” he said. “It is a tactical unit, and the SWAT vehicle contains equipment that is designed to aid in the prevention of violence rather than just a response to it. A SWAT team prevents a great deal of violence. The SWAT vehicle was recently painted white and now promotes a visual image that represents it as more of a tactical tool. It’s less intimidating now.”

In the last year, Tompkins County has worked to reimagine the SWAT team. Along with the cosmetic changes to the unit’s tactical vehicle, weapons are stored in hard cases for removal from the vehicle, and the acronym has been changed to SRT, which stands for Specialized Response Team. Such changes are meant to more accurately convey the vehicle as a specialized equipment tactical vehicle rather than a storage unit for weapons, as previously mentioned.

“Everyone that is assigned to the team is issued a special uniform as well as regular daily uniforms,” Koskinen explained.

The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department covers 490 square miles. Those miles are broken down into four zones that encompass Lansing, Groton, Ithaca, Dryden, Caroline, Danby, Newfield, Enfield and Ulysses.

“We have to have a civil division, patrol division and corrections division,” Koskinen said. “The Sheriff’s Department addresses many different things.”

A large portion of the responsibility for coordinating the efforts and the officers that take agency over those 490 square miles belongs to Koskinen.

In 2022, the Sheriff’s Department is planning for several changes and additions. For example, the department has been accepting applications through the Tompkins County Human Resources Department for their new civilian response positions (see tinyurl.com/yb522dsh).

“The civilian response position will include taking some non-emergency calls and walk-ins,” Koskinen said. “They will be stationed here. … Usually things like repossessions, plate issues and non-emergency calls. This position is projected to start this year.”

The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office recently added five 2022 Ford Utility Interceptor Hybrid vehicles to its fleet to help lessen their environmental footprint (see tinyurl.com/y73xye8d).

“We have a lot we’re doing this year,” Koskinen said. “One of the new things coming up will be our Newfield satellite offices reopening next month. Sheriff [Derek] Osborne had been contacted with requests for more law enforcement presence in Newfield. Deputy Sheriff Nathan Humble will be at that substation adjacent to town hall, which had previously been closed due to lack of staffing.”

Koskinen is also hoping to add some new officers to the Sheriff’s Department. The road patrol division offers ride-along options geared toward individuals considering a career in law enforcement. There are no age restrictions, and an individual can sign a waiver and choose from one of three shifts to join an officer for eight hours on a standard shift.

The opportunity to schedule a ride-along shift is open to anyone. However, it is preferred that individuals signing up have an interest in working in law enforcement in the future.

“An individual who has signed up will ride along on a regular shift with an officer,” Koskinen said. “They will be exposed to whatever the shift entails. They will go along on all of the calls with the officer. In situations where information is sensitive or needs to be kept private, the civilian will wait in the vehicle for those calls.”

Having spent half of his life studying and then working in law enforcement, Koskinen intends to have a very long career. Although the option for retirement is coming closer, Koskinen has no intention of slowing down.

“I am very proud of this department,” Koskinen said. “The sheriff is elected by the people. It brings with it 110% accountability. We’ve been striving to portray a professional image with our updated policies and the new things we’re implementing. Even with the scrutiny involved in the last few years, it’s truly an amazing team.”

Koskinen is an approachable and professional officer with an open demeanor that is welcoming, especially at a time in history that’s presented much social discord. Accessible and available to the community, Koskinen represents the type of officer that community members can feel comfortable opening a dialogue with about their concerns.

“Things are going amazing with the Sheriff’s Department in regards to how people are starting to see local law enforcement,” Koskinen said. “We are being seen as people with lives that not only serve the community but live in the community.”

An avid runner, Koskinen enjoys the beauty of his hometown of Trumansburg by spending a lot of time outdoors. Having two young daughters keeps him plenty busy when off duty as well. Along with enjoying time at home with his family, Koskinen also has developed an interest in home-brewed beer.

“I love Trumansburg because it’s a small, hometown community,” Koskinen said. “You go around town and you get to see people you know. It’s a close-knit, safe community. Even in the position I’m in now, people still know me as just Kyle. It’s a nice place to call home.”

Trumansburg Connection appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Recipes for a Beautiful Life

Encore Players Community Theatre presents readings from “Recipes for a Beautiful Life: A Memoir in Stories” by Rebecca Barry on March 27 at 3 p.m. at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, 1 Congress St.

Spend an afternoon with readings from critically acclaimed author Barry’s poignantly funny and heartwarming book, presented by Barry and actors from Encore.

The memoir tells the story of Rebecca, her husband, Tommy, and their infant son leaving Ohio and settling in Trumansburg. Leavened with a heaping measure of humor and frosted with joy, the story that unfolds examines the struggles of balancing a creative life with the messy business of raising a family.

Admission is free, but donations are welcome at the door to benefit Encore Players and the conservatory.