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Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa has begun his one-year term as president of the New York State Sheriffs' Association, making history as both the first Latino to lead the 94-year-old organization and the first Ulster County sheriff to hold the position.
Figueroa, 60, was sworn in on Thursday (January 22) by Ulster County Court Judge Bryan Rounds, taking over from Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone. The Democrat told the Daily Freeman he anticipates his term "is going to be a tough road" due to political and ideological differences among the association's members.
The association represents sheriffs from all 62 New York counties, though Figueroa noted only about eight of the 58 elected sheriffs are Democrats. Despite these differences, he was elected to lead the organization because he brings "a different perspective to the table in dealing with certain situations in law enforcement."
"What's great about the association is that you can have those debates, and at times they can be very energetic conversations," Figueroa said. "But after the conversations are over, we're listening to everybody's views. Nobody's views are ignored."
Figueroa has not shied away from controversial positions. In 2024, while serving as the association's second vice president, he supported a state constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights, despite the association's opposition. He has also maintained a policy of non-cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Ulster County, which has led to what he describes as "very energetic conversations" within the association.
Before becoming sheriff, Figueroa served 25 years as a New York State Trooper and 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including deployments during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He made history in 2019 when he became New York's first Latino sheriff.
As Ulster County Sheriff, Figueroa has implemented several progressive initiatives, including the Opioid Response as County Law Enforcement (ORACLE) program, which embeds social workers and peer advocates with law enforcement to combat drug overdoses. He has also enhanced police training in community interaction, de-escalation, and implicit bias.
"To say that I have a lawyer that runs professional standards. To say I have a director of community incarcerated services who's a social worker. To have social workers and peers embedded in law enforcement... It's unheard of," Figueroa said.
The New York State Sheriffs' Association, founded in 1934, assists sheriffs throughout the state through training, accreditation, legislative advocacy, and public safety programs. The non-profit organization has taken on the task of providing specialized training for sheriff's agencies because New York State does not have specific training programs for sheriffs.
Figueroa is currently serving his second term as Ulster County Sheriff and recently announced his bid for a third term in the November election. If re-elected, he has pledged to continue both enforcing the law and protecting the rights of county residents.