WTEN: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports - Soares Returns, Welcomes Controversy

Soares Returns, Welcomes Controversy

The controversy surrounding Albany County District Attorney David Soares continues. After he slammed America's drug laws at a Canadian conference, some in the local law enforcement community are calling for his resignation.

NEWS10's Latricia Thomas was at Albany International Airport Friday evening as Soares stepped off the plane, returning from Vancouver.

Soares was greeted with a warm welcome by his family. It is hardly the welcome his remarks from the International Drug Conference in Vancouver received here at home.

"I'm hoping that some of the other law enforcement unions join us in asking Mr. Soares to take his career in another direction." Those were the words of Albany Police Union President Chris Mesley during an interview with NEWS10 Thursday evening.

Soares responded to Mesley's remarks tonight.

"I would remind the president of the Albany Police Officer's Union that I don't work for the Albany Police, I don't work for the City of Albany, I work for the people of Albany County and it's not his decision to make," Soares said.

Soares defended his stance that America's drug laws are ineffective, even saying they are ruining the streets of Albany.

"(There's) a lot of violence, a lot of drugs and we have a failed policy and I'd like to revisit that issue and explore some partnerships with law enforcement," said Soares.

But it is those law enforcement leaders earlier this week who said Soares is making a working relationship impossible by publicly attacking the policies he was elected to enforce.

"I'm not talking about letting people who deal drugs on the street go, I'm talking about this supply line," Soares said. "Why do we have so many forms of drugs on the streets of Albany?"

Albany Police Chief James Tuffey and Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings also said earlier this week that they want to meet with Soares when he returns. Soares says he welcomes this debate and is actually glad this difference of opinion has come to light.

Stay tuned to NEWS10 and wten.com for the latest information on this developing story.