Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced that he hosted a press conference on Sept. 6 at the John F. Finn Institute of Public Safety to present a $75,000 ceremonial check. The grant will be used to support the institute’s various public safety projects, including fostering positive community-police relations in Schenectady and Utica, advancing Schenectady police reform and New York State Police Academy Partnership programs.

“I’ll always work to recognize the organizations that go above and beyond to protect and serve our communities,” said Steck. “The John F. Finn Institute has carried out this mission with integrity since its foundation through various partnerships and initiatives across New York State. This grant will ensure they have the necessary funding to further their important work and continue helping our communities.”

The organization is named after the late Lt. John Finn of the Albany Police Department. Finn was shot three times while in pursuit of an armed suspect in late 2003 and tragically succumbed to his wounds seven weeks later. The grant will support research on police’s use of force, violent crime investigations and community trust-building initiatives. These three issues are all central to the effectiveness and equity of police services. The Finn Institute uses social science research and methods to develop criminal justice strategies, programs and practices that are effective, lawful and fair.

The press conference was attended by John F. Finn Institute Director Robert Worden, Sarah McLean, Hannah Cochran, Kenan Worden, Beau Holladay, Madison Bryant and Alissa Worden.

Director of the John F. Finn Institute, Robert E. Worden said, “I am deeply grateful for Assemblyman Steck’s support of the institute’s work. John Finn worked tirelessly as an advocate for bringing social science and data to bear on problems of crime and public disorder and for a vision of policing that entails the formulation of data-driven, evidence-based strategies. It is his commitment to putting social scientific analysis to work in the service of policing that the Finn Institute honors through its work. The grant funds that Assemblyman Steck secured for the John F. Finn Institute for Public Safety will support research that is central to the effectiveness and equity of police services.”