From the Village of Bath NY, photo by Lewis Imagery
On September 19th, 2022, the Village of Bath Mayor and Trustees approved Colin Taft as the Chief of Police for Bath. Chief Taft was the acting Chief from February 2021 till June 2021 and has the been the provisional Chief of Police until this permanent appointment.
Chief Taft started his career out in 2001 with the Village of Addison Police Department where he became the Officer in Charge. Chief Taft also worked briefly for the City of Corning Police Department and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Taft has worked for the Village of Bath for nearly 17 years and has held the rank of Sergeant for 6 ½ years and Criminal Investigator for 4 years.
Chief Taft has completed the Instructor Development Course and taught at 7 police academies, Field Training Officer Course, Police Supervision course, Taser instructor for 4 years, Crime Scene and Evidence Specialist school, FBI Hostage negotiator school, NYSP Undercover Operations School, Col. Henry F. Williams Homicide Seminar, Advanced Interview and Interrogation, Active Shooter Instructor School, NYS Fire Investigator’s course, ChildFirst Forensic Interview Training Program, Highway Drug Interdiction, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, and Public Information Officer training.
Chief Taft has a bachelor’s degree from Keuka College in Criminal Justice and plans on finishing his master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Keuka College in the near future. Chief Taft is a US Army veteran where he held the rank of Sergeant.
Chief Taft has led approximately 100 controlled narcotics operations and written and executed approximately 15 no knock narcotics search warrants in his 4 years as an investigator. Chief Taft takes great pride in mentoring and leading his officers into the future and making the Village of Bath a better place to live, work, and visit. Addressing quality of life issues will be his main priority.
A formal ceremony will be held November 1st that will be open to the media and colleagues. Chief Taft will turn over his Criminal Investigator’s badge and promote an officer from within the agency to the title of Criminal Investigator as well as be sworn in as Chief of Police.
