Full Breakdown
New York State Police Chief of Staff Suspended as FBI Assumes Investigation
By Drooid · · How we work
Suspension and FBI Involvement
State Police announced that Lieutenant Colonel Jared W. Duffy, the agency’s assistant deputy superintendent and chief of staff, has been suspended without pay. The department also said it has asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albany Field Office to take over the case. An FBI spokesperson confirmed the request and declined to provide further comment, noting that the investigation remains ongoing.
Investigation Origins
The inquiry began after a tip was forwarded to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. According to reporting by the Albany Times Union, the tip led investigators to focus on sexually explicit images of children. Police searched Duffy’s home in the Colonie suburb of Albany following the tip, and he was taken into custody for an interview. The same source indicated that Duffy passed a polygraph examination last week.
Official Statements & Responses
State Police officials have not disclosed the specific reason for Duffy’s suspension or any details of the investigation. The agency directed all further inquiries to the FBI. The FBI’s statement emphasized that the bureau will now lead the probe and that no additional information will be released at this stage.
Background on Lt. Col. Jared W. Duffy
Duffy joined the New York State Police in 2002 and has served as chief of staff to Superintendent Steven James since October 2024. His official biography notes responsibility for special projects, planning, and research for the superintendent. He holds master’s degrees in criminal justice, public administration, and general studies, as well as a bachelor’s degree in biology. Duffy’s brother, a Buffalo-based attorney, suggested that a recent hack of Duffy’s email and a dormant X (formerly Twitter) account might be linked to the investigation, though the police have not confirmed this claim.
Current Status and Outlook
As of the latest update, no charges have been filed against Duffy. The FBI’s Albany Field Office now controls the investigation, and any future developments are expected to be communicated through that office.