Quigley Could Fire Taggard

I'd say that Quigley would have no choice but to fire him, as law enforcement officials are, and should be, held to a higher standard:

Ulster Town Supervisor James Quigley said Thursday that he is prepared to ask Ulster Police Chief Matthew Taggard to resign, even if he is found not guilty of official misconduct.

Taggard was charged in late June with official misconduct and put on paid administrative leave for allegedly being aware that sex crimes “involving underage victims” were occurring in Saugerties but failing to notify authorities, Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright said on June 28. Carnright said Taggard is not accused of personally committing any sexual crimes.

“Clearly, something has happened here that has resulted in a breach of trust with the citizens of the town of Ulster, the Town Board and the police department,” Quigley said.

Carnright's statement about Taggard not being personally involved in these alleged crimes was made back in June. I wonder if he'd say the same thing if he were questioned about it today.

But due process is an important cornerstone in a democratic society, so Taggard will have his day in court, the first part of which will happen this evening:

The District Attorney’s Office said that Taggard is scheduled to appear at Village of Saugerties Court tonight. No further details were furnished.

If any of this blog's readers happen to be in the Saugerties neighborhood, drop by the court and let us know what you saw (I'm sure the newspapers will be there).