Ontario County undersheriff named
CANANDAIGUA — The high-ranking officer who led the Ontario County Sheriff's Office after the resignations of the sheriff and undersheriff has now been appointed undersheriff.
Chief Deputy John S. Falbo will serve in the position of undersheriff, according to interim Sheriff Philip Povero, who was appointed to that position last week.
Falbo's appointment will be effective through the rest of the current term of sheriff, which ends Dec. 31, 2022.
Falbo said he is appreciative of Sheriff Povero in recognizing what he has been doing, what he’s trying to do and his dedication to the office.
“In reality, I’ll be operating in the same manner as I always have been, which is doing whatever I can for the best of our employees and for the citizens of the county,” Falbo said. “When our employees are able to be happy and be in a good working environment, that’s always going to help with public safety and the way they are out there presenting the office.”
Falbo began his career with the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 13, 2006, as a deputy sheriff and has attained the rank of investigator, lieutenant and chief deputy. An Army combat veteran with eight years of service from October 2001 through December 2009, Falbo attained the rank of staff sergeant.
As undersheriff, Falbo will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office.
Having the title of undersheriff or chief deputy does not affect how he plans to approach his job and present himself to employees and the public, Falbo said.
"I’m here to basically serve in whatever capacity I can," Falbo said. "However I’m needed is what I’m here for.”
Povero said in a prepared statement that Falbo is a leader who is dedicated to the Sheriff's Office.
"The health, safety and well-being of members of the Office of Sheriff are a constant priority. Undersheriff Falbo has worked tirelessly with me since my return," Povero said in the statement. "He fully understands operations. Undersheriff Falbo led the Office of Sheriff following the resignations of the previous sheriff and undersheriff. He unselfishly, and without complaint, accepted the responsibilities of the sheriff, undersheriff and chief deputy. His passion for effective public safety is his motivation.”
The previous undersheriff, David Frasca, resigned in September, followed soon after by the resignation of former Sheriff Kevin Henderson, who took the elected office in 2019 after Povero's retirement in 2018.
A county investigation into alleged wrongdoing in the Sheriff's Office is continuing. A return date for information sought in a series of subpoenas has been extended to Dec. 13.
Falbo said he will not be running for sheriff, and at the end of his appointment in 2022, he plans to return to his role as chief deputy and serve the next sheriff and undersheriff.
"No matter who's sitting in the sheriff's chair, my goal is to work closely with them to make this a better place for the employees and public safety," Falbo said. "That's all I'm here to do."
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Chief Deputy John Falbo is appointed Ontario County undersheriff
