Police Chief

Chief Adam Halbfinger

Scotia Police Department

4 North Ten Broeck Street
Scotia, New York 12302
(518) 374-3848
ahalbfinger@villageofscotiany.gov

Chief Halbfinger was appointed Chief of Police in the Village of Scotia in November 2024. He is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 23 years of dedicated service in the field of public safety. Prior to being appointed Police Chief he served as a Police Sergeant with the Scotia Police Department since 2014, Chief Halbfinger has earned a reputation for his leadership, training expertise, and deep commitment to both his department and the community he serves.

Chief Halbfinger’s career began in 2002 with the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a Corrections Officer before transitioning into law enforcement as a Patrol Officer in 2004. His early work in the field provided him with a broad range of experience, including traffic enforcement, emergency response, and civil enforcement.

In 2007, Chief Halbfinger joined the Scotia Police Department as a Police Officer, where his career truly flourished. Over the years, Chief Halbfinger has demonstrated proficiency in various areas of law enforcement, from investigations and arrests to community policing and crime prevention. His dedication to public safety and effective problem-solving led him to a promotion to Sergeant in 2014. In this leadership role, Chief Halbfinger was responsible for supervising a platoon, managing departmental records, and overseeing daily police operations, ensuring his team remains compliant with departmental policies and committed to the mission of the force.

Chief Halbfinger is well-versed in the complexities of law enforcement, with a comprehensive understanding of policies, use of force, and criminal law. His expertise extends to a wide range of technical skills, including RADAR/LIDAR operation, accident investigation, bicycle patrol and hazardous materials technician. His passion for continuous professional development is reflected in his completion of numerous specialized courses, such as Active Shooter Training, Use of Force, De-escalation, Juvenile Law, Emotional Survival, Advanced Traffic Stops, Field Training Officer, DWI and SFST’s, and Police Supervision courses. He is also a certified police instructor in many subject matters including general topics, defensive tactics, physical training, firearms, reality-based training, principled policing, use of force, conducted energy weapons, E-Justice, and TRACS.

Throughout his career, Chief Halbfinger has also demonstrated strong administrative and supervisory abilities, having served in various critical roles, including as the Police Traffic Services Grant Administrator, Body Camera Administrator, Field Training Supervisor, and Crime Reporting Administrator. His leadership extends to his past role as President of the Scotia Police Benevolent Association (PBA), where he represented officers and advocated for the well-being of the department.

A lifelong learner and advocate for effective policing, Chief Halbfinger continues to serve with integrity and professionalism. Whether in the field, the courtroom, or during training sessions, his approach to law enforcement emphasizes both skill and compassion, making him a valuable asset to the Scotia Police Department and the broader community.