MASSENA — Retired Massena Police investigator Joseph W. Brown is approaching the law from a new perspective.
Donning the trademark black robe of an arbiter of justice, Mr. Brown was sworn in as town justice Thursday afternoon by Town and acting Village Justice Patrick J. Serguson, behind the very bench where he said he will put to use the knowledge he gained during his 23 years on the police force.
“I’m looking forward to this new chapter on the other side of the bench,” Mr. Brown said. “I’m looking forward to the great challenges going forward and feel fortunate to have great mentors in justices Serguson and (Eric J.) Gustafson.”
On Feb. 15, the Town Board appointed Mr. Brown to his new position on the bench to replace former Justice Gerald P. Sharlow, who left the position on April 1 after 15 years. Mr. Brown will have to run for the position on election day in November.
Prior to his swearing-in Thursday, Mr. Brown sat at his desk at the David Sullivan-St. Lawrence County Law Enforcement Academy in Dana Hall on the Campus of SUNY Canton where he is the director of operations. He said he had talked about running for the justice position before the Town Board appointed him and that his 23 years of experience on the streets as an police officer and investigator gives him a familiarity with the judicial system.
Mr. Brown worked as a patrolman for the Massena Village Police from 1993 to 2001, when he took on the role of criminal investigator, covering all major crimes including stabbings, shootings and major drug investigations in the village.
Additionally, Mr. Brown worked on narcotics crimes with the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force. When he retired, he had 15 years under his belt as an investigator and retired as the department’s senior investigator.
“I have to thank the board for the opportunity to take this position and serve the town of Massena and its residents,” Mr. Brown said. “For all the years I spent on the other side of the bench, I now have the chance to bring it to this side.”
As additional preparation for his first day on the bench on May 11, Mr. Brown was in Albany two weeks ago where he said he completed a week-long course called “Taking the Bench” which is a prerequisite for newly elected and appointed town and village justices.
Following his swearing-in, Justice Serguson and Mr. Brown’s wife, Danielle M. Brown, who was witness to the swearing-in, both said he was the ideal candidate for his new position.
“I think this job fits into the wheelhouse for Joe because of being a prior law enforcement officer and coming on board with the training and with the experience he has, I think it is going to be a good fit,” Justice Serguson said. “He has to stay on top of training and all of the updates at the academy, so I think that is going to benefit him coming into this job and I think it is going to benefit both the academy and the judgeship.”
Moreover, he is “a man of integrity,” Mrs. Brown said.
“He has good moral fiber and he is kind, so I think he will give a good service to our community,” Mrs. Brown said. “He is honest, forthright and not afraid to speak his mind when need be, but he can also be very compassionate, so he has all the right qualities to do a good job.”