Story by Adam Bosch - photo by Michelle Haskell, courtesy the Times-Herald Record

September 14, 2007

(to News Index)

Monticello — After 25 years as a juvenile officer in Monticello, Detective Douglas Tunno is still haunted by a child abuse case from 1989.

Tunno arrested a 31-year-old man that year who had been whipping his girlfriend's 2-year-old son with an extension cord. The lashings ripped inch-long gashes in the little boy's skin. Sometimes the boyfriend left wires exposed to shock the boy while he beat him.

Tunno spent hours patiently interviewing the man, who eventually confessed and was sentenced to five to 10 years in prison.

"We took the boy to a foster home and a month later he was smiling and running around," Tunno said. "It's one of those things that will stick in my mind forever."

For his years of work with youngsters, both victims and troublemakers, Tunno was recognized last month as Juvenile Officer of the Year by the state Police Juvenile Officers Association. Tunno, 57, was chosen from more than 500 juvenile officers in the state.

"His longevity as a juvenile officer and commitment to the community put him above the rest," said William J. Aiello, executive director of the juvenile officers association.

Most recently, Tunno organized gang-awareness training for the Monticello School District, educating its staff about gang signs, colors and language.

"I can now say we have the gang issue under control because Doug (Tunno) pulled this all together for us," said Monticello schools Superintendent Patrick Michel.

From runaway kids to school fights, and child abuse to weapons possession, Tunno has been the go-to guy for handling youth crime in Monticello.

"Even as someone who has defended cases, I can say Detective Tunno has always cared about the best interest of the kids," said lawyer Tim Havas.

Tunno's job has evolved as crimes committed by juveniles have become more frequent and severe.

In 1987, Tunno dealt with 45 cases of youth crime, committed by kids ages seven to 15, most of them for shoplifting and other relatively low-profile crimes. In 2006, Tunno saw more than 600 youth cases, many of them felonies for assault or robbery. This year, kids have committed 37 felonies that range from stealing iPods to holding up taxicabs at knife point, he said.

The multitude of juvenile crimes has forced Tunno to shift focus from prevention to reaction. Many of the preventative programs, such as mock courts and law-enforcement career seminars, have been discontinued because neither the money nor the time is available. Most of Tunno's effort is now spent responding to juvenile crimes and counseling parents who struggle with unruly kids.

"You're always working on today's business, and there's no time to plan for tomorrow," he said.

Still, Tunno was given this award because he deals with today's business better than anyone. "When it comes to youth questions, Detective Tunno has been our sage," Michel said.

Photo caption:
Detective Douglas Tunno heads the Monticello Police Department’s juvenile division. Tunno was honored as Juvenile Officer of the Year by the state Police Juvenile Officers Association.