Join the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Get notified about upcoming exams! DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURES Correction Officer I (English) Correction Officer I (Spanish) Qualifications Salary & Benefits Physical Agility Exam Academy Training Hiring Process Professional Opportunities The Divisions of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Corrections Division The Corrections Division of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is comprised of more than 806 Correction Officers who staff two county correctional facilities. The Corrections Division and its facilities are overseen by the Warden and his Deputy Wardens. Both facilities house minimum, medium, and maximum-security male and female inmates. ​ The current Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead was built in 1969 and has undergone multiple additions and improvements over the years, resulting in its current capacity of 840 inmates. The facility has linear and podular housing units, a state-of-the-art medical/ dental/ mental health unit, a rehabilitation unit, and a visiting section. The Choose Your Path program for young men is housed at the Riverhead Facility. ​ The Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank was built in 1961 and has also undergone multiple improvements and additions over the years, including a state-of-the-art addition in 2013 which added six podular housing units, modern medical/dental/mental health, visiting, and booking units, and renovations of existing housing areas. The current capacity at Yaphank is 976 inmates. The Sheriff's Addiction Treatment Program (SATP), the Veterans Reentry Program, the 55 and Older Pod, and the Choose to Thrive Program for female inmates are all housed at the Yaphank Facility. This facility also houses female inmates with their newborn babies in a fully equipped secure nursery. ​ An increased focus on inmate rehabilitation accompanied by the reduction in inmate levels due to NYS bail reform legislation has created a unique opportunity to increase the number of programs available to inmates in the custody of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. The emphasis the Sheriff’s Office places on correctional rehabilitative programming has evolved over the last several years, with Correction Officers increasingly adopting a mindset that places value on rehabilitation and reentry work. While many non-profit organizations work in collaboration with the correctional facility to provide services to current and former inmates, Correction Officers have developed and now run many unique correctional programs. ​ Police Division ​ The Chief Deputy Sheriff oversees the Police Division. It includes the Enforcement Bureau, Headquarters Bureau, District Court Bureau, Family Court Bureau, Criminal Investigations Bureau, a Special Operations Bureau, and the Pistol License Bureau. ​ The major responsibilities of the Headquarters Bureau are the transportation and security of inmates outside the correctional facility, general law enforcement services to the public, and support assistance to other law enforcement agencies. They have a Canine Unit and a Marine Unit which patrols the East End of Long Island. ​ The District Court Bureau is tasked with the secure transportation of all inmates and detainees remanded to the custody of the Sheriff by any of the twenty-two courts working out of the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip. The Bureau oversees the main detention center housed at the 1st District Court complex and is responsible for the care and custody of new arrestees in the five western townships of Suffolk County as well as Suffolk County Correctional Facility inmates returning for court appearances. The District Court Bureau works closely with law enforcement partners of the Sheriff’s Office, defense attorneys, court personnel, and the District Attorney’s Office to ensure the court process proceeds efficiently. The Bureau transported a total of 24,544 prisoners in 2019. ​ The Criminal Investigations Bureau is tasked with all criminal investigations within the confines of the Suffolk County Correctional Facilities. These include cases involving prison contraband, assaults, violation of orders of protection, death investigations, etc. In addition, the Bureau handles all felony cases developed by Deputy Sheriffs, serious motor vehicle crashes, aviation crashes at Gabreski Airport, and drug investigations, including undercover surveillance. The investigators within the Bureau undergo a multitude of training that includes death investigation, crime scene investigation, evidence handling, drug field testing, and motor vehicle collision investigation. Responsibilities for investigators include case management, evidence collection, arrest and warrant processing, interviews and statements, and crime scene management which includes fingerprint processing, photography, sketching, and scene narratives. Investigators from both the Police and Corrections divisions continually work with other agencies and on task forces such as the DEA and Heroin Task Force, to uncover crime in Suffolk County and the region. ​ The Enforcement Bureau is comprised of the Civil Enforcement Section and Special Operations Section. Deputy Sheriffs assigned to the Civil Enforcement Section process property executions for enforcement against real and personal property, income executions, warrants to remove, warrants of arrest, orders of seizure, orders of attachment, service of D.W.I. forfeiture summonses for the County Attorney, enforcement of Health Commissioner orders, and all other actions issued out of any court in the county. The Special Operations Section performs a variety of duties including patrolling and responding to calls for service at the Suffolk County Gabreski Airport and other county facilities and traffic enforcement. ​ The Sheriff’s Office Warrant Squad executes court-ordered Writs of Assistance in family offense and abuse and neglect cases, transports certain juveniles charged with crimes to court, and returns them to where they are housed. Deputy Sheriff Investigators assigned to the Warrant Squad execute warrants of arrest in both family court and criminal court cases. Investigators also coordinate with the county’s Child Support Enforcement Bureau to locate parents who have failed to pay court-ordered child support and assist police agencies in tracking down Fugitives from Justice. ​ The Domestic Violence Bureau serves orders of protection that are created by the Family and Criminal Court systems. During the service of orders, Deputy Sheriffs are often ordered to seize firearms and other weapons in the protection of the defendants and respondents. The Domestic Violence Bureau served a total of 3,786 orders of protection in 2019 and 4,023 in 2020. It also seized a total of 282 firearms in 2019 and 378 in 2020. In 2019, Deputy Sheriffs were tasked with the service of Emergency Risk Protection Orders (ERPO). An ERPO is a court order issued when a person may be dangerous to him/herself or others. An ERPO prohibits a person from purchasing or possessing guns and requires the person to surrender any guns he/she already owns or possesses. The Domestic Violence Bureau also investigates cases of individuals who attempt to purchase a firearm in violation of an order of protection and arrests individuals charged with violating orders of protection and those with family offense-related warrants. ​ The Special Operations Bureau is comprised of the Air Support Unit, Honor Guard, Stop-DWI Team, Bike Patrol, Emergency Management, Haz-Mat Decon Strike Team, Homeland Security, and Tactical Units that include the Sheriff’s Response Team and the Tactical Rifle and Containment Team. ​ The Pistol License Bureau is tasked with the issuance of all pistol licenses for the five East End towns in Suffolk County. The towns include Riverhead, Southampton, Southold, East Hampton, and Shelter Island. Deputy Sheriff Investigators are responsible for conducting a thorough background check that includes fingerprint and arrest history checks, personal and character witness interviews, residency verification, and mental health checks on pistol license applicants. ​ Operations Division The Operations Division includes Employee Benefits, the Communications Bureau, the Quartermaster Bureau, the Grants Bureau, the Accounting Bureau, the Personnel Investigations Bureau, Personnel/Payroll, Fleet Management, and Research and Development. The Chief of Staff oversees all bureaus in the Operations Division. ​ Employee Benefits administers all benefits for employees as negotiated by the three bargaining units within the Sheriff’s Office. The Communications Bureau administers all Sheriff’s Office dispatching functions. The Quartermaster Bureau is responsible for the issuance and inventory maintenance of uniform items and assorted equipment for approximately 1,200 employees of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. The Grants Bureau locates state, federal, and private sector funding opportunities. The Accounting Bureau prepares the annual operating budget request for submission to the County Executive’s Budget Office. ​ The Personnel Investigations Bureau is responsible for conducting confidential background investigations on all employee candidates for the Sheriff’s Office. The primary mission of the Payroll/Personnel Bureau is to monitor employee time and accruals and to ensure that all employees are paid accurately and in a timely fashion. Fleet Services is responsible for the maintenance of the “Fleet” which includes patrol vehicles, unmarked and undercover vehicles, trucks, buses, ATVs, boats, military surplus equipment, and military vehicles. The Research and Development Bureau facilitates decision-making, research, and timely responses to inquiries. These bureaus are staffed by Correction Officers, Deputies, and professionals.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE CHAPLAINS The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Chaplaincy program was established on April 26, 2018, by Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. The purpose of the Sheriff's Chaplaincy Program is to provide interfaith emotional and spiritual counsel to Sheriff's Office employees and their families du ring times of need and heightened stress and work in collaboration with the Interfaith Council. ​ The Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Program assists Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employees by providing the followin g services: ​ ​ Render spiritual guidance, aid in fostering personal growth, and offer moral support in crisis situations, in an atmosphere of understanding and confidentiality. Counsel and support sworn officers, professional employees, and their family members, in personal matters and family difficulties, and provide referral resources when applicable. Visits to sick or injured officers in the hospital or at home when requested. Assist Sheriff’s Office personnel in making notifications to the families of officers who have been seriously injured, or upon the death of a member of the Sheriff’s Office. Participate in religious services for deceased members and offer support to the families of the deceased. Attend and offer prayers at official Sheriff’s Office functions: i.e. Memorial Services, graduations, and award ceremonies. All requests are coordinated through the Director of the Chaplains Program. When requested, assist Sheriff’s Office personnel (and the Crisis Intervention Team) in emergency situations such as multi-casualty incidents, officers shot or seriously injured, and during major disasters. In “emergency” situations an available Chaplain can be reached (24 hours) by phone, through the Radio Office Supervisor. In non-emergency situations, members may call on any Chaplain of their choice or, according to one’s individual religious affiliation. Although Sheriff’s Office Chaplains are affiliated with various religious denominations, they serve as Chaplains to the whole department in an ecumenical –interfaith role, regardless of an individual’s religious tradition or lack thereof. SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CHAPLAINS: Father Joseph D'Ang elo Read bio Sister Michelle Bremer Read bio Reverend Charles A. Coverdale Read bio Reverend James P. McLaughlin Read bio Reverend Daris A. Dixon-Clark Read bio Pastor Alex W. Bryant Read bio Reverend John G. Fleischmann Read bio

Data Driven Justice Data Driven Justice Community Portrait: A Conversation with Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. of Suffolk County, N.Y. This Data-Driven Justice Community Portrait is the fifth in a series highlighting individuals who are championing cross-systems collaboration and data sharing within their jurisdictions to respond to the needs of frequent utilizers of justice, health and human services systems. This interview was edited for brevity. ​ Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. is the Sheriff of Suffolk County , New York on Long Island. He was born and raised in the Bronx in New York City, and his father and brother were both wardens on Rikers Island . As such, Toulon learned about the criminal justice system from a very early age; in 1982 he joined the New York City Department of Correction where he had a 22-year career in uniform serving in various positions in the Emergency Service Unit, Firearms & Tactics Unit and Compliance Unit. He retired as a captain due to health reasons. In 2014, he returned to the Department of Correction as the Deputy Commissioner of Operations overseeing the Intelligence Unit, Training Academy, Applicant Investigations Unit, Emergency Management and Compliance Units. Taking office in January 2018, Sheriff Toulon is the county’s first African American person to be elected to a non-judicial countywide office. He received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Monroe College, a master’s degree in Business Administration and a doctorate in Educational Administration from Dowling College. ​ Q: Where do you get your passion for helping people involved in the criminal justice system? ​ When I was a child, my father told me that his job as a warden was about rehabilitating people who were incarcerated; however, he also used the same moniker of “bad guys” that needed to be in jail. When I was a captain on Rikers Island, I would often tour our various facilities, talk to the people in our custody and find out why they became incarcerated and if they experienced substance abuse and/or mental health issues. I believe 85 percent of men and women that come into our facilities are individuals that have mental health and substance abuse issues, or they just made some poor choices. Many come from areas and families that experience multi-generational trauma due to community and family violence. ​ When I became sheriff, I used this experience to affect change in my community. We can assist those men and women with the treatment they need and can connect them with resources in the community to continue care post incarceration. I am extremely passionate about ensuring people continue to receive this level of care while involved with the justice system. ​ Q: What are some of the initiatives you’ve started to help people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders involved in the justice system? ​ Here in Suffolk County, we created The Sheriff's Transition and Reentry Team (START), where we work with the judicial system, The Legal Aid Society and The Criminal Bar Association to offer case management and support to help address the needs of people in our custody and upon release. ​ The START Resource Center is located at our Yaphank Correctional Facility and staffed by correctional officers. In our jails, we start reentry on day one of incarceration. We interview inmates at jail admission and have them complete a packet of information where we assess their needs and life goals. Officers and our partners support people with substance abuse treatment, education, job and resume assistance, social services enrollment, driver's license and identification issues, transportation, food, housing and clothing. We also provide referrals to community-based services upon release. We help people create resumes and conduct job searches and provide business attire for job interviews. We also provide transportation for interviews, as transportation can be a huge barrier in Suffolk County. We have identified employers who are willing to hire a formerly incarcerated individual and work with social services agencies in various communities to connect people to health care and continue treatment. We are trying to address structural barriers to reentry, and the staff has truly built trust among our community members involved in the justice system. In fact, with START, more than 350 people have returned to our resource center or reached out for further assistance who are no longer involved in the justice system. ​ We also have a serious addiction treatment program and are very much involved in the drug court. We continue to talk to judges and defense attorneys on how we can improve. We can always do better, and I push my staff so that our office can mitigate crime before it occurs and reduce our jail population. ​ Lastly, we partnered with Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare on our family reunification project to bring graduate-level interns to the jail to work with inmates and their families to improve relationships while people are incarcerated and when they are released. We know that family involvement can be key to a person’s success once they are no longer in our custody. Q: Who have been some of your most valuable partners in this work? ​ We have worked with many community partners who have helped identify individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues. We created a satellite facility partnering with one of our service providers, Spin the Yard , to assist with transportation and networking with other programs to make sure people are receiving the assistance they need. ​ In addition, since many of our female inmates are victims of human trafficking and have substance use disorders, The Empowerment Collaborative of Long Island is another important community partner, particularly for women and children. We also partner with many local advocacy groups and monitor data to understand where in Suffolk County there are hotspots of people suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues and how to best address it. We also use data analysis in our schools through a program called Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline , which seeks to improve policy and craft initiatives to prevent youth from getting involved in the justice system by helping to identify root causes of youth delinquency. ​ Q: How is your office working with the community to address race equity for people involved in the justice system? ​ First, I am always looking at data to help us understand the problem. As Sheriff, I have made it a priority for our office to use data to identify community members at risk of incarceration. We focus on factors such as demographics and ethnicity, education level and employment type. Do they have children? With these variables, we see where certain trends are occurring and can drill down to the root causes of some of the issues that our residents face before and after incarceration. ​ Since last year (2020), we started a training course for fair and impartial policing not only for our deputy sheriffs and correctional officers, but also professional personnel. We have implemented customer service training for sworn and professional personnel that are interacting with the public. I do not, however, believe that a training course will really allow us to understand our own biases, so we have made it incumbent upon our supervisors to reinforce this training throughout our daily work. Since it is very difficult to change someone’s inherent views in just a couple training sessions, we conduct them regularly to at least recognize these biases and reinforce the need for change. ​ There needs to be a basic understanding of respect from law enforcement to the people in our community and those that are incarcerated. The death of George Floyd was a tragedy, and law enforcement needs to find a balance when interacting with the community between who is an actual threat and who may be experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. Q: What more can Suffolk County do to help people living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders? ​ What is needed not only for Suffolk County, but our nation, is investment in social services. People need help before they interact with law enforcement. By the time someone is incarcerated, the individual has most likely shown many red flags. The pandemic has caused a mental health and substance abuse crisis in this country and with so much trauma and disruption in our society today, the government needs to focus on increasing funding in our communities for social services. This would certainly lead to fewer negative interactions with law enforcement and less incarceration. We may be able to save not only a lot more lives but change people's lives so that families and communities are safer. Q: What inspires you about this work? ​ I'm a two-time cancer survivor, so I probably shouldn't be here. My second battle was with pancreatic cancer and it has made me feel that I'm here for a purpose. I was a deputy commissioner at Rikers Island for 25 years and I didn't have the direct impact that I have now. I have been a resident of Suffolk County now for 31 years and I can see the impact I have on my staff and the individuals that are incarcerated in the community. This is what gives me joy because I can affect real change and help people. It motivates me every day. ​ Q: Do you have any recommendations for other communities or advice for your peers? ​ You can never have enough partners in this, whether it's NACo or law enforcement agencies, community partners or community members. I engage with our community to understand what various populations in Suffolk County are dealing with so I can understand what we need to do and identify potential and changing trends. As a sheriff, it is important to talk to law enforcement agencies and community partners throughout the country to see what they are dealing with and how to best prepare. Finally, humility is crucial. You need to talk to everyone and can never have enough engagement with people. There is much to learn from other people’s experiences. NACo would like to thank Sheriff Errol Toulon for speaking with us about his and Suffolk County’s efforts. He can be reached at Suffolk_Sheriff@suffolkcountyny.gov . ​ This community portrait was created with support from Arnold Ventures as part of Data-Driven Justice , a project that aims to support local jurisdictions in using data to better align resources to respond to people who are frequent utilizers of justice, health and human services systems. This is a reprint from the National Association of Counties, NACo. Read this story on the NACo website.

College Internship Program The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office offers an exciting college internship program for students who have a strong interest in law enforcement and/or are currently enrolled in criminal justice courses. This unique program is designed to give college students hands on experience with all of the different units our agency has to offer, including popular visits with the Marine Bureau, Firearms, and K9 units. The interns also witness how outside agencies work hand in hand with one another as they visit units run by the Suffolk County Police Department, the Office of the Medical Examiner, and the Suffolk County Legislature. Interns visit both correctional facilities, the firearms range, the Emergency Vehicle Operator Course, the Suffolk County Crime Lab, the Warrant Squad, and the Domestic Violence Bureau. These visits allow students to work alongside officers in each area to give them knowledge, experience, and help them to make informed choices about a career in law enforcement.​ The Internship Program runs during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Spring and fall semesters run for 16 weeks and the summer semester runs for 13 weeks. Call 631-852-5611 for more information or send an email to samantha.graviano@suffolkcountyny.gov . Typically included in the internship program: The Community Relations Unit offers students an overview of what the Sheriff’s Office does, how a law enforcement agency helps the county’s residents, and the various ways the Sheriff's office offers support and assistance to Suffolk County residents with a variety of community programs. ​ An informative visit to District Court & Unified Courts provides the students with a working knowledge of the processing of inmates at the district court level and how all the courts work together. ​ Exciting visits to the correctional facilities allow interns to tour the Riverhead and Yaphank facilities to get an understanding of the Correction Officers’ responsibilities and duties and to have an understanding of how the Suffolk County Correctional Facilities operate. ​ All aboard! A ride along with the Marine Bureau provides the students with the knowledge, duties and responsibilities of the SCSO Marine Unit, patrolling Suffolk County's many bodies of water. ​ Interns visit the Firearms Bureau for an opportunity to "take aim" with our staff. This visit provides the students with the knowledge of training SCSO officers and other law enforcement agencies including preparation of training schedules and monitoring firearms records. ​ Did you know the Sheriff's Office is the only agency authorized to perform evictions? The Civil Bureau shows the students the “Civil Laws” and how the Sheriff’s Office serves the court orders. ​ A visit to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence Unit provides our interns with information and first-hand experience on how important community assistance is to a law enforcement agency. ​ Go for a ride! All interns have the opportunity to "ride along" with our Deputy Sheriff's as the conduct they enforce vehicle and traffic laws. These experiences enable interns to gain knowledge of patrol procedures and enforcement of traffic laws. ​ Finally, the Personnel Investigation Bureau has a very important role in the internship, as every intern will learn exactly what procedures are followed to hire law enforcement or professional personnel. This information and advice is invaluable to any future law enforcement candidate. Sessions Fall Session Application Dates: July 15 - August 15 Starts: Labor Day Week (16 weeks) ​ Spring Session Application Dates: November 15 - December 15 Starts: Third Week of January (16 weeks) ​ Summer Session Application Dates: April 15 - May 15 Starts: the Wednesday after Memorial Day (13 weeks) ​ How to Apply Applications to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Internship Progr am will only be accepted during the application dates listed above. Once the open period for the respective session arrives, applicants will need to submit the below application to be considered. ​ Items required: Email the following to samantha.graviano@suffolkcountyny.gov : A current resume A narrative essay no more than two single or double-spaced pages in length that sets forth, at a minimum, the following: Why you are interested in the SCSO Internship Program​ Your motivation and career goals The source of your inspiration for your motivation and career goals The skills that you would bring to SCSO if you were selected as an intern Please note: Failure to provide one or more of the documents listed above before the application deadline will result in lost consideration for the program. The email address to send the information to is samantha.graviano@suffolkcountyny.gov ​ ​

Mission Statement The mission of the Sheriff’s Office is to provide the highest quality services to improve community safety, protect life and property, reduce crime, and reduce the fear of crime in Suffolk County, New York. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office shall maintain safe, secure, and orderly correctional facilities and a competent and trained staff committed to ensuring proper care, custody, treatment, supervision, and discipline for all persons committed to the care and custody of the Sheriff. The Sheriff’s Office and its employees, both sworn and professional, pledge to work in partnership with the community, to be responsive to community concerns, and conduct its public services efficiently and effectively, consistent with its legal authority, budgeted resources, and with the highest level of professionalism. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office strives to maintain the highest standards of excellence by utilizing best practices, innovative training methods, and the latest technology to create a safer environment for Suffolk County residents. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office shall maintain crime prevention and inmate rehabilitation as its primary goals while vigorously pursuing those who commit crimes. The Sheriff's Office strives to develop a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities it serves. The following core values shall guide the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office and assist in ensuring that our employees maintain personal and professional behavior: • Human Life – Above all else, the Sheriff’s Office strives to protect human life. • Integrity and Trust – The Sheriff’s Office values honesty, fairness, respect, and the consistent application of objective standards by its employees. • Pride and Professionalism – The Sheriff’s Office consciously and consistently demonstrates a commitment to the profession. The Sheriff’s Office is committed to becoming the profession’s benchmark through constant attention to self-improvement and the development of optimum agency services focused on quality performance and results. • Community Service – The Sheriff’s Office is committed to public service and improving the quality of life in Suffolk County through community partnerships and mutual accountability. • Problem Solving – The Sheriff’s Office values utilizing a teamwork approach to facilitate individual and group creativity to accomplish substantive long-term solutions to community problems. Dated this 1st day of February 2021 ​

Police Reform & Reinvention Report The Sheriff's Office Reform and Reinvention Report Submitted to the Suffolk County Legislature on March 1, 2021. “The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is, and will continue to be, an agency driven to achieve excellence not by legislative mandate, but instead by its own standards and its obligation to the People of Suffolk County, New York.” - Sheriff Toulon Download the Report Send us Feeback Report Highlights On February 23, 2021, the Sheriff’s Office released its Interim Reform and Reinvention Report pursuant to New York State Executive Order 203. On March 1, the report was finalized and sent to the Suffolk County Legislature for the March 2, 2021 General Meeting. Read RESOLUTION NO -2021, ADOPTING THE SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REFORM AND REINVENTION REPORT (SHERIFF). Deputy Presiding Officer Robert Calarco has called for additional public hearings. See the Press Release for information and dates. The Reform and Reinvention Report report requires approval from the Suffolk County Legislature and must be sent to the Governor’s Office no later than April 1, 2021. Even though the process has advanced to the next stage, the public is encouraged and welcome to continue to submit comments, questions, and suggestions to Suffolk_Sheriff@suffolkcountyny.gov . The Sheriff’s Office followed State guidance by developing its evaluation and report in phases while collaborating with community stakeholders. In September, the Office began facilitating conversations with members of its newly formed Community Advisory Board (CAB) to gain a better understanding of the public’s understanding of the role of the Sheriff’s Office. The Office held six of these sessions between September and January, which included Sheriff’s Office presentations followed by discussion. In February, the Office hosted four additional community meetings and asked for feedback on a series of proposed reforms in the seven areas of “Reforming and Reinventing Correctional Services,” “Reforming and Reinventing Police Service,” “Community Engagement,” “Recruitment, Diversification, and Retention,” “Sheriff’s Office Training,” “Officer Wellness,” and “Internal Affairs.” The Sheriff’s Office is a reform-minded agency that has engaged with community partners in the non-profit, government, and educational sectors in substantive and collaborative ways over many years. The Office has five task forces comprised of community members, including the Sheriff’s Reentry Task Force with over 80 members, the Interfaith Council, the Community Advisory Board, the Deconstructing Task Force, and a small Student Advisory Board. Participants meet regularly with the County Sheriff and his staff and have played an integral role in shaping programs and policies for many years. Sheriff Toulon viewed the Reform and Reinvention process as a valuable opportunity to reflect on the progress the Office has made in recent years, understand public concerns, and plan for the future. It was also an opportunity to educate the public about the role of the Sheriff’s Office. “With so many police agencies operating in Suffolk, the general public doesn’t fully understand how we affect their lives and the services we provide,” said Sheriff Toulon. The first section of the 78-page report describes the responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office, its history, and how elected officeholders, Sheriff’s Office appointees, and long-time civil servants help shape policies. The report then discusses recent improvements in the 7 subject areas, noted deficiencies, goals, and recommendations, and public input. ​ Highlights of some of the proposed reforms include: START Resource Center staff frequently confront issues with locating safe housing for homeless individuals. It is recommended that community and government stakeholders work together to create workable solutions. The Sheriff’s Office has discussed the possibility of rehabilitating county-owned property for transitional housing and will work towards this goal in 2021. Inmates with severe mental illness have more intensive needs and more frequently recidivate upon release. The Sheriff’s Office plans to focus on this issue by creating a working group in 2021 to address the continuum of support required to protect public safety and connect human services with this high-risk population. During the Public Sessions, it was recommended that the Sheriff’s Office review its policies and procedures regarding the classification of transgender individuals in custody at the Suffolk County Correctional facility. It was further recommended that the Sheriff’s Office adopt policies and procedures that are more responsive to the needs of gender-expansive communities. In 2021, the Sheriff’s Office will examine relevant policies and practices, New York State Commission of Corrections’ regulations, and national best practices for the purpose of crafting a policy directive on Transgender, Intersex, Gender Non-Binary, and Gender, Nonconforming People in Custody. The Sheriff’s Office will create an internal Review Board tasked with evaluating each use of force report generated. The goal of the board will be to ensure that proper procedures and guidelines are followed and to learn from each incident. If needed, the Board could establish recommendations for new methods for handling similar incidents. This platform to potentially prevent future injury to our officers and defendants/inmates could be expanded to include other high liability incidents such as motor vehicle crashes. The Sheriff’s Office will implement a training program for Deputy Sheriffs to increase their understanding and awareness of the impact of trauma. The training will help them utilize trauma-informed practices in their interactions with children and adults. Deputy Sheriffs are charged with executing Family Court orders to remove children from their homes for reasons such as abuse and neglect. In addition to implementing trauma-informed training for Deputy Sheriffs, the Sheriff’s Office will work with community partners to develop a care package of items the officers could give to the children to ease the transition. The Sheriff’s Office will facilitate coordination between the START Resource Center and Deputy Sheriffs assigned to the courts. Deputy Sheriffs frequently encounter at-risk and vulnerable individuals. The START Resource Center could be an avenue to connect these individuals with human services. The Sheriff’s Office plans to create a section of the website in 2021 devoted to Police Division statistics on arrests and traffic stops. During the Public Sessions, a question was raised about the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to track racial and ethnic data during traffic stops. The Office is currently updating technology to ensure that race and ethnicity data will be captured. Furthermore, the Sheriff’s Office intends to conduct ongoing analysis of data captured regarding traffic stops and arrests to ensure all sworn members of the Sheriff’s Office are utilizing best practices to eliminate any potential bias and to protect public safety. During the Public Sessions, it was recommended that the Sheriff’s Office improve its data tracking relative to Deputy Sheriff’s use of language access services. In 2021, the Office will begin to post quarterly language access assistance utilization data on its website. During the Public Sessions, it was recommended that the Sheriff’s Office develop protocols and appropriate training to best handle traffic stops and other encounters with people who may have developmental disabilities, autism, or other conditions that may affect an individual’s ability to communicate effectively during police interaction. The Sheriff’s Office intends to create a program for its staff in 2021. During the Public Sessions, the ability of Deputies to use discretion when deciding to make an arrest or give a warning was discussed. Deputies also have the discretion to direct a person to mental health services rather than arrest the person. It was recommended that the Sheriff’s Office track how often Deputies use this discretion and publish the data. The Sheriff’s Office intends to continue to build its mentoring program with local school districts. It will expand its involvement with My Brother’s Keeper and seek out other mentoring opportunities in schools and community groups. The Sheriff’s Office will work with community partners, including the Community Advisory Board, to form a working group focused on developing a more diverse workforce. The Sheriff’s Office will revise its mission statement in 2021 to include the goal of developing a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities it serves. In 2021, the Sheriff’s Office will seek out and implement trauma-informed training for its sworn members and customer service training for all professionals who engage frequently with the public. The Sheriff’s Office will implement a specialized training program for Deputy Sheriffs to increase their understanding and awareness of the impact of trauma. The training will help them utilize trauma-informed practices in their interactions with children and adults. In corrections, special needs inmates include any individuals in custody with mental, emotional, or developmental disabilities, disorders, or impairments. Presently, training regarding special needs inmates is presented once in the academy. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office will be expanding upon this curriculum in 2021 so that all sworn staff will receive on-going special needs inmate training. The Sheriff’s Office will implement Realistic De-Escalation training in 2021 for all sworn staff. This form of training exposes staff to real-life situations they may encounter on the job and gives them first-hand experience on how to handle these scenarios. This useful and informative training will assist sworn officers in managing conflicts and help them develop problem solving tools to de-escalate situations they encounter. The Academy Bureau is scheduled to have four qualified de-escalation instructors by January of 2021. De-escalation training will then be used within the Professional Communication block of annual training. The Academy Bureau is working to facilitate the creation of peer support groups within the Sheriff’s Office. These groups will work closely with Chaplains and mental health professionals to provide support to Sheriff’s Office personnel in need. The Academy Bureau is in the process of developing/ implementing a PEER team which will be a first for the Sheriff’s Office. The team’s primary focus will be supporting fellow officers in times of crisis, promoting mental health, and helping to prevent behaviors that may lead to illness, injury, or death of members. During the Public Sessions it was recommended that Academy recruits and sworn personnel receive annual training in LGBTQ cultural diversity. The Sheriff’s Office intends to adopt a relevant training program. The Sheriff’s Office also plans to review cultural competency training curricula and provide this training to all staff. In 2021, the Sheriff’s Office will implement officer wellness "check-ins" with supervisory staff. These check-ins will be conducted regularly to ensure that Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers under their commands are taking care of their overall well-being, and effectively managing and coping with stress. All staff at the Sheriff’s Office will be encouraged to be alert to "red flags" with a coworker, or immediately following a Use of Force incident, sick time abuse, or other issues. Staff will then be offered assistance and referred for counseling or treatment. The Sheriff’s Office will launch an internal education campaign to alert staff about the higher rates of depression among law enforcement and the signs and symptoms of depression. Resources will be made available on the Office intranet and on signage in employee areas. The Sheriff’s Office is already using a variety of methods associated with Early Intervention Systems (EIS) that engage supervisors in detecting and remedying problematic behavior that occurs under their command before there are issues that can lead to more serious consequences. The Sheriff’s Office will be exploring database programs used to assist in tracking performance and complaints that occur over the course of an officer’s career. Often, incidents do not occur in quick succession, and personnel and management change over the years. EIS database systems lessen the reliance on institutional knowledge about incidents and provide a means to analyze individual trends over the course of time. In 2021, the Sheriff’s Office plans to utilize the Employee Mentorship Program in another arena – as a non-punitive measure for officers with minor disciplinary sanctions and/or issues. By addressing these behaviors early on, the need for more formal disciplinary measures, as well as the consequences to which these behaviors may lead, will be mitigated before they ever become a major problem for the individual and for the agency. The process to file a complaint with Internal Affairs is on the Sheriff’s Office website but during a Public Session it was recommended that the Office review the website to ensure the public understands the process to file a complaint with Internal Affairs and post a flow chart that provides information on how complaints are handled. The Sheriff’s Office intends to follow through on these suggestions. Community & Legislative Presentation Watch the Meeting Este documento en español. Preguntas? Email: Suffolk_Sheriff@suffolkcountyny.gov Public Information Session #1 Public Information Session #2 Public Information Session #3 Recommended Reading Materials on Police Reform Executive Order 203 NYS Police Reform Guidebook Briefing on the Sheriff’s Office and the Reform and Reinvention Process ​ Pursuant to the directives of NYS Executive Order 203 and following the subsequent guidance provided by the New York State Governor’s Office, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a comprehensive review of its corrections and police divisions’ policies and procedures, community engagement, recruitment and diversity, employee training and well-being, and Internal Affairs operations. Preparation Materials for Public Session The Sheriff’s Office is comprised of a Corrections Division, a Police Division, and an Operations Division. The Corrections Division has 813 Correction Officers who staff two county correctional facilities housing minimum, medium, and maximum-security inmates. ​ The Police Division includes the Enforcement Bureau, Headquarters Bureau, District Court Bureau, Family Court Bureau, Criminal Investigations Bureau, a Special Operations Bureau, and the Pistol License Bureau. These bureaus provide transportation and security of inmates outside the county jails, general law enforcement services to the public, civil actions, and support to other law enforcement agencies. ​ The Operations Division of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office includes Employee Benefits, the Communications Bureau, Quartermaster Bureau, Grants Bureau, Accounting Bureau, Personnel Investigations Bureau, Personnel/Payroll, Fleet Management, and Research and Development. These Bureaus work together to ensure the Sheriff’s Office continues to run efficiently. ​ The Sheriff’s Office Corrections and Police divisions are both recognized as Accredited Agencies in New York State. This designation involves a lengthy, rigorous process to meet and exceed high standards. The Office must continually sustain this level of professionalism to maintain its accreditation status. ​ The Sheriff’s Office is at the forefront of best practices in many areas of operations and has earned national attention for its innovative work in correctional rehabilitation, school-based programming, and intervention services for victims of human trafficking. In 2018, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. partnered with the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation to educate young people about the warning signs of a peer in distress, how to intervene, and the concepts of inclusivity. He also launched a task force called Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline to drive policy discussions and implement solutions to prevent youth from entering the justice system. The County Sheriff simultaneously expanded correctional rehabilitation programing and launched the START Resource Center on the grounds of the Yaphank Jail to provide case-management services and reduce recidivism. Working with Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare, the Sheriff recruited master’s level Social Work students to participate in an innovative Family Reunification Program which focuses on supportive services for the children of county inmates. He has also advocated for improvements in human services, access to safe housing, and mental health treatment – as well as trauma-informed practices throughout the justice system. ​ In June 2020, in response to growing social unrest and calls for police reform, the County Sheriff announced the formation of a Community Advisory Board and recruited participants via social media and in the local press. All ninety-four people that applied were accepted on the Board, which comprises a diverse group of residents from across Suffolk County. The Board meets monthly to view presentations, discuss topics of interest and concerns, and make recommendations. ​ The Sheriff’s Reform and Reinvention process is focused on the following areas: Reforming and Reinventing Correctional Services Reforming and Reinventing Police Services Community Engagement Recruitment, Diversification, and Retention Sheriff’s Office Training Officer Wellness Internal Affairs The Office is seeking comments, ideas, and suggestions on some of its proposed reforms and will be meeting with community groups and the general public during four sessions in the month of February. The following information is designed to help prompt discussion about reforming policies and practices at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. While the Office is focused on specific areas, and suggested reforms are welcome. ​ Part 1. Reforming and Reinventing Correctional Services The Sheriff’s Office places emphasis on correctional rehabilitative programming. Various in-custody programs provide gender-responsive group and individual counseling, parenting classes, and educational and vocational training for both male and female inmates. Other programs provide essential services to elderly inmates, veteran inmates, human trafficking victims, and those with substance abuse issues. ​ The reduction in county inmates due to New York’s Bail Elimination Act led to a simultaneous decline in the number of individuals participating in the jail’s rehabilitation and reentry programs. This, in conjunction with the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted the administration to find creative methods of providing services to county inmates, as well as justice-involved individuals living in our communities. This work is now coordinated through the START Resource Center by a new team of Correctional Counselors and Community Correction Officers who conduct intake assessments on all county inmates and provide ongoing case-management during incarceration and after release. The Sheriff’s Office also recently began a pilot project with SUNY Stony Brook’s School of Social Welfare to provide services to family units and the children of those in custody. ​ In 2021, the Sheriff’s Office will seek to expand the reach of the START Resource Center by developing satellite offices in other parts of Suffolk County. Planning has commenced to offer more services to individuals released from court, and to reduce barriers to employment, safe housing, mental health treatment, and other common issues. Correction Officers will also receive additional training in working with people with mental illness, de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed practices. The Sheriff’s Office will also expand services for children of those in custody. ​ Discussion Materials: About the START Resource Center Proposed Reform: Expansion of Services for the Children of those Incarcerated https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/53721/2000256-Children-of-Incarcerated-Parents-Framework-Document.pdf Proposed Reform: Using Trauma-Informed Practices in a Correctional Setting https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/NRCJIW-UsingTraumaInformedPractices.pdf https://traumainformedoregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Corrections-Trauma-Informed-Care-infographic.pdf Additional Information on Trauma in Correctional Settings Trauma-Informed and Evidence-Based Practices and Programs to Address Trauma in Correctional Settings Part 2. Reforming and Reinventing Police Services The Police Division is staffed by 240 Deputy Sheriffs that provide critical services for the courts, serve warrants and summonses, make arrests, transport inmates, investigate crimes, and patrol roads and waterways. Recently the Sheriff’s Office began training its deputies in Fair and Impartial Policing, a form of implicit bias training. The Office’s Use of Force policy was revised to ban chokeholds and carotid holds. Body and in-car cameras were distributed to deputies and language assistance services are now available when interacting with people who have limited English proficiency. ​ Future plans include an internal review board to evaluate each use of force incident. Customer Service training will be rolled out to professional staff in the Enforcement Bureau who field frequent phone calls from the public who are facing eviction. Trauma informed training will be implemented for deputies who are charged with executing Family Court orders to remove children from their homes. The Sheriff’s Office also intends to improve data collection relative to arrests and traffic stops and make that data available on the Sheriff’s Office website. ​ Discussion Materials: Proposed Reform: Using Trauma Informed Care Practices to Safeguard Children following Arrest or Removal from Guardians https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/IACP-SafeguardingChildren.pdf Proposed Reform: Training in Trauma Informed Practices https://bha.health.maryland.gov/Documents/Trauma-Informed%20Policing%20-%20Betsy%20Wexler.pdf https://www.samhsa.gov/gains-center/trauma-training-criminal-justice-professionals Proposed Reform: Exploring Co-Responder Models for Individuals in Behavioral Crisis and with Developmental Disabilities RESPONDING TO INDIVIDUALS IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS VIA CO-RESPONDER MODELS The Police-Mental Health Collaboration Toolkit https://bja.ojp.gov/program/pmhc Part 3. Community Engagement The Sheriff’s Office regularly participates in formal and informal community gatherings and events. The Office hosts an annual Open House and Family Day and participates in National Night Out to create more opportunities for positive public interactions. In the last few years, the Sheriff’s Office has become actively engaged in mentoring initiatives though My Brother’s Keeper. In 2021, the Office will conduct another mentoring pilot project with the Central Islip School District. ​ Community engagement is also facilitated through the Office’s many task forces and boards, including the Interfaith Council, the Reentry Task Force, the Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline Task Force, the Student Advisory Board, and the Community Advisory Board. Through these initiatives, the Sheriff’s Office regularly engages with hundreds of individuals, non-profit groups, and educators. ​ Discussion Materials: Proposed Reform: The Sheriff’s Office is proposing an expansion of its mentoring initiatives. http://www.nysed.gov/mbk https://leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/cops-mentoring-kids-an-investment-in-crime-reduction Additional: The Sheriff’s Office intends to expand its Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline Initiative https://315a35fb-4cd2-4c10-ad2f-caceddce343b.usrfiles.com/ugd/315a35_22d112c0e8944c359455cf2539d4a95f.pdf ​ Part 4. Recruitment and Diversification The underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic employees at the Sheriff’s Office is a longstanding issue that is also a challenge throughout Suffolk County government. Suffolk County recently appointed its first ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, a new role created by the County Executive to promote diversity and inclusion in the Suffolk County workforce. Nearly all Sheriff’s Office employees are civil servants, and therefore are not exempt from civil service hiring practices, such as testing and established lists based on scoring. The Sheriff’s Office Director of Personnel has been tasked with collaborating with the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer to improve hiring and recruitment practices and increase diversity in its sworn and professional ranks. Some recent initiatives undertaken by the Sheriff’s Office to aid in diversification include targeted recruitment efforts in local communities, coordinated outreach efforts with non-profits and churches, and social media campaigns. These initiatives had positive results and will continue as new civil service tests are scheduled. ​ Future plans include teaming up with members of the Community Advisory Board to help with recruitment, targeted marketing campaigns, social media outreach, and identifying and reducing barriers to attracting more ethnically and racially diverse candidates. In 2021, the Sheriff’s Office plans to revise its formal Mission Statement to include “developing a more diverse workforce.” ​ Discussion Materials: Proposed Reform: The Sheriff’s Office will set goals to diversity its sworn and professional workforce. https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/file/900761/download https://www.policechiefmagazine.org/creating-a-multicultural-law-enforcement-agency/ Part 5. Training Previous to the current administration, in-service training amounted to less than one day per year. Sheriff Toulon increased in-service training to three days per year for all sworn staff, created the Academy’s first training course catalogue, and implemented mandatory training for all new supervisors. The recent additions to the in-service training program include mental health first aid training, fair and impartial policing, and crisis intervention training. These curricula include realistic and challenging training scenarios to strengthen learning objectives. A new mentoring program supports new employees while learning on-the-job and helps to reinforce the ethical foundation of the professional culture at the Sheriff’s Office. ​ The Office also plans to implement trauma-informed training for its sworn members and customer service training for all professionals who engage frequently with the public. (See corrections and police sections for trainings). ​ Part 6. Officer Wellness Decision making and judgment can be affected by an officer’s mental state. Proper mental, physical, and emotional well-being are essential for an officer to be effective in the community. Recently, the Sheriff’s Office began an employee wellness program to encourage employees to prioritize mental and physical fitness. The Sheriff’s Office Chaplaincy Program provides chaplains from various religious denominations to officers in need. In addition, employee unions have helped connect law enforcement mental health providers with officers in need of psychological and emotional support. ​ Starting in 2021, the Sheriff’s Office will begin officer wellness check-ins utilizing supervisory staff. These check-ins will alert supervisors to red flags indicative of a larger problem. New training at the Academy will focus on officer mental wellness education. ​ Discussion Materials: Proposed Reform: Improve Overall Wellness for Sheriff’s Office Employees https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/Publications/cops-w0862-pub.pdf Part 7. Transparency and Accountability – Internal Affairs Sheriff Toulon and the Executive Staff work to hold all staff accountable for their conduct and to properly and investigate each and every allegation of misconduct. A progressive disciplinary system for all founded violations of agency policies and procedures is in place. The Sheriff’s Office investigates all complaints, whether anonymous or otherwise. Recently Sheriff Toulon established the Quality Assurance and Integrity Unit to evaluate complaint cases for the purpose of decreasing opportunities for re-offense. ​ The Sheriff’s Office already uses various Early Intervention Systems that engage supervisors in detecting and remedying problematic behavior. A database program is being explored to assist in tracking performance and complaints over an officer’s entire career. The Employee Mentorship Program will also be utilized as a non-punitive measure for officers with minor disciplinary issues, avoiding the need for a formal disciplinary process. ​ Discussion Materials: Proposed Reform: Review Employee Intervention Systems; both behavioral interventions and software systems http://www.datasciencepublicpolicy.org/projects/public-safety/eis-overview/ https://www.policefoundation.org/publication/best-practices-in-early-intervention-system-implementation-and-use-in-law-enforcement-agencies/ Part 8. Other Recommendations and Open Discussion

OPERATIONS DIVISION The Operations Division of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office ​includes Employee Benefits, the Communications Bureau, the Quartermaster, the Grants Bureau, Accounting, Personnel Investigations, Personnel/Payroll, Fleet Management, and Research & Development. The Operations Division is overseen by the Chief of Staff. Employee Benefits Accounting Department Communications Bureau Personnel Investigations Grants Bureau Payroll Department Research / Development Fleet Management Employee Benefits Established in November 2000, Employee Benefits is an Administrative Section overseen by the Employee Relations Director to execute the personnel and human resource functions of the Sheriff’s Office and assist in implementing Office policy related to personnel issues. Personnel files for all current and former employees are maintained in this office according to the Sheriff’s guidelines. The Employee Relations Director assists in representing the Sheriff at contract negotiations, grievance and arbitration hearings and labor management meetings. The Director oversees the implementation of the terms and conditions of all the Sheriff’s Office employee contracts. ​ The Employee Benefits Section administers all benefits for employees as negotiated by the three bargaining units within the Sheriff’s Office: the Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees, the Suffolk County Correction Officers Association, and the Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs Police Benevolent Association. All enrollments and changes in employee benefits, such as health insurance, benefit fund, life insurance and the retirement system are processed to keep all Sheriff’s Office employees benefits up to date. Prospective retirees receive pension estimates and benefit information to prepare them for retirement. All employme nt verification requests are certified and employees are assisted and advised regarding any problems encountered with their benefit providers. Beneficiary, marital, family, and address changes are routinely processed by the Employee Benefits Section. Compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act is also monitored and ensured. Employee benefit information is provided in a seminar format to each group of new and prospective Deputy Sheriff and Correction Officer candidates. Canvassing, interviewing, and participating in the selection process to fill vacant professional positions are all a part of fulfilling the duties of the Employee Benefits Section. ​ ​ Communications Bureau The Communications Bureau is responsible for administering the Sheriff’s Office 911 and dispatching functions. The Bureau also provides support for the Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Office in addition to numerous Federal, State and local agencies when needed. In 2019 the Bureau issued 15,321 blotters to the Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Units. ​ The Communications Bureau is comprised of 12 Public Safety Dispatcher I’s, 3 Public Safety Dispatcher II’s and 1 Public Safety Dispatcher III. The PSD’s are also responsible for the entry and updating of Orders of Protection, transmitting and receiving of messages through the eJustice Integrated Portal, conducting criminal history checks and preserving and cataloging all radio and telephone communications within the Bureau. ​ ​ Grants Bureau The Grants Bureau was established in 1993, with the mandate to locate state, federal and private sector funding opportunities. We investigate the aptness of funding programs for Sheriff’s Office initiatives, complete or assist in the completion of grant applications of interest to appropriate sections within the Office and render technical assistance to other agencies applications upon request. After receiving an award, the Grants Bureau writes all legislative paperwork and is responsible for all reporting requirements. ​ ​ Research / Development ​ The Sheriff's Office has developed an organized system of information storage, retrieval and review which is part of the overall research and decision making capacity, relative to both inmate and operational needs. This bureau facilitates decision making, research and timely responses to inquiries. It is concerned with the total flow of data tha t reaches the administrative staff to assist them in planning future policy and direction and to control resources and activities. ​ While the primary goal of the Research and Development Bureau is to provide statistical, legal and budgetary information for use in making management decisions, the bureau is also designed to perform five distinct functions: Coordinate and Formulate the Office’s Annual Operating and Capital Budget Requests On-going Sheriff’s Office research; Information for Administrative/Management decision making; Inmate population statistics; and Rapid response to ad hoc inquiries. Collecting statistical information about the inmate population has long been a responsibility of this bureau. Using the inmate population and other data collected, this bureau is responsible for refining and analyzing this information in order to assist in identifying specific problem areas and broad correctional trends. These research endeavors have provided critical feedback and will create a broader, more solid base on which to develop correctional policy. The bureau consists of a Lieutenant and a Principal Clerk, who are responsible for completing all of the tasks assigned to it over the course of the year. ​ ​ Accounting Department ​ The Accounting Bureau prepares the annual operating budget request for submission to the County Executive’s Budget Office. Our office is responsible for disseminating the adopted budget to the various units within the Sheriff’s Office, and maintaining oversight of departmental spending to ensure that spending remains in accordance with the budget throughout the year. All purchases of goods and services are initiated through the Accounting Bureau either by direct purchase or via Suffolk County Purchasing by entry of a requisition for a purchase order. In 2019, our office processed 2,064 direct purchases and entered 613 requisitions, which resulted in our office processing 2,677 payment vouchers for vendor invoices. ​ ​ Personnel Investigations Bureau ​ The Personnel Investigations Section is responsible for conducting confidential background investigations on all employee candidates for the Sheriff’s Office. In addition to Sheriff’s Office employees, i.e. Deputy Sheriffs, Correction Officers and professionals, this section also investigates all other county employees, volunteers, interns, e tc. who enter the Correctional Facility. We also do investigations for employee candidates for other departments. ​ Depending upon the position an individual is being investigated for, inquiries are sent to all, or some, of the following, as applicable: numerous police agencies, New York State Department of Mental Health, military, schools and past employers. F.B.I. and D.C.J.S. fingerprints are also taken for each individual. We additionally make an internal inquiry, within our agency, on all individuals being investigated. The internal inquiry consists of a record check, within the various sections of our Office, i.e., Radio Room, B.C.I., Record Room, Civil Bureau and Internal Affairs. For Deputy Sheriff and Correction Officer candidates an enormous amount of time (clerical and investigative) is spent preparing for and holding seminars, as well as conducting the background investigations. Numerous interviews, i.e. employers, neighbors, spouse, family, etc. are conducted regarding candidates for these positions. A limited background investigation is provided for all other individuals. ​ ​ Payroll / Personnel ​ The primary mission of the Payroll/Personnel Bureau is to ensure that all employees are paid accurately and in a timely fashion. In 2019, the Payroll/Personnel staff consisted of 7 full time professionals, 3 of which are new to the Payroll/Personnel Bureau. The Payroll/Personnel staff prepared and distributed 21 special and 26 bi-weekly payrolls totaling to $1.73 Million and paid, on average, 1,297 employees in 2019. The Sheriff’s Office is composed of employees in the following bargaining u nits: the Suffolk County Deputy Sheriff’s Benevolent Association, the Suffolk County Correction Officers Association, the Association of Municipal Employees, as well as Bargaining Unit 21 which includes all Management Personnel. ​ The Payroll/Personnel Bureau is responsible for maintaining the Sheriff’s Office Position Control pursuant to Civil Service Rules and Regulations, implementing all salary changes for current employees that may take place due to assignment/shift changes or promotions, processing all new hires on the on the County Payroll System, PPS, as well as processing all the employees who separate from service. Processing these separations involves pro-rating accruals, as well as pre-auditing six years of time and accruals to be paid out. This information is then sent the Suffolk County Department of Audit & Control for final audit and approval of accrual payouts. ​ In addition, the Payroll/Personnel Staff is responsible for validating leave taken, tracking donated accruals, military time, half pay eligibility and usage, checking attendance rosters, overtime payments, computing accruals, running regular and special payrolls, employment verifications, reporting wages to the New York State Employees Retirement System, as well as, maintaining a personnel/payroll file on each employee, where all paperwork is scanned and retained on the Sheriff’s Office confidential servers. ​ ​ Fleet Management ​ Fleet Services is responsible for the maintenance of the “Fleet” which includes patrol vehicles, unmarked and undercover vehicles, trucks, buses, ATV’s, boats, military surplus equipment, and military vehicles. We practice strict adherence to NYS DMV standards of repairs. We perform preventative maintenance on every vehicle, maintain records such as daily check list, and ensure officer safety. Fleet staff strives to stay current with industry knowledge in order to maintain the equipment with efficiency. We are always performing preventative maintenance in order to prolong the life of each piece. Fleet Service is also responsible for ensuring that the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office vehicles and equipment meet the federal, state, and county safety and regulatory mandates. Our additional responsibility is for the purchase, design, and upfit of new vehicles. We also track cost and time of the repairs with a state of the art fleet management software program. ​ We have developed a relationship with “ARI,” an independent national wide automotive company, that helps us service our vehicles should they have a mechanical breakdown outside our geographical area. The staff of fleet services is also responsible for the towing, recovery, and impound of vehicles. We are responsible for snow removal from the Riverhead facility parking lots. ​ Fleet Services is called upon to work closely with other county departments, outside law enforcement agencies, U.S. government and the NYS DMV. In addition, we are called upon to negotiate with the county fleet liaison for the amount and dollars needed to update and maintain the fleet of vehicles. Fleet Services is also responsible for the monitoring of vendors who do our outside repairs ( i.e. collision work and heavy truck repairs). Employee Benefits Communications Bureau Grants Bureau Research / Development Accounting Department Personnel Investigations Payroll/Personnel Fleet Management

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES There are an array of opportunities available as a professional employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office including but not limited to: ​ Assistant to the Sheriff Administrative Assistant Public Information Officer Director of Human Resources Director of Personnel/Payroll Assistant Intergovernmental Relations Director Neighborhood Aid ID Technicians Research Analyst Mechanic s Accounting Clerk Payroll/Personnel Jail Cook Public Service Dispatchers Community Relations Coordinator Office Assistant Medical Professionals Mental Health Professionals and many more... Visit the Suffolk County Department of Civil Service here to take a current exam and start the process of joining the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office.

HIRING PROCESS STEP 01 Register to take the exam through the Suffolk County Department of Civil Service STEP 02 Attend one of our orientation seminars to learn more about career opportunities. STEP 03 Pass the Physical Agility Exam (otherwise known as the Coopers Standard Test). STEP 04 Pass a medical evaluation. STEP 05 Pass a background investigation and interview. STEP 06 Pass a written psychological examination and interview. STEP 07 Receive an offer letter of employment and start your academy training.

EXECUTIVE STAFF Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. Sheriff Steven J. Kuehhas Undersheriff Michael J. Catuosco Undersheriff John M. Becker Deputy Undersheriff Corrections & Operations Divisions Michael J. Franchi Warden Charles L'Hommedieu Chief of Staff Christopher Black Deputy Warden Curtis Sclafani Deputy Warden Scott Walsh Deputy Warden Kevin Kelley Deputy Warden Police Division Christopher Brockmeyer Chief Deputy Sheriff Christopher Barry Deputy Sheriff Captain Daniel Berezny Deputy Sheriff Captain Michael Smith Assistant Chief Deputy Sheriff Christopher Guercio Deputy Sheriff Captain Salvatore Petrone Deputy Sheriff Captain Sheriff's Executive Staff Victoria DiStefano Public Information Officer Owen Durney Assistant Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator Marlene Madorran Director of Personnel/Payroll Kevin O'Reilly Director of Employee Relations Elizabeth Rae Assistant to the Sheriff

CONTACT ME A Message from Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. Suffolk County Sheriff Welcome to the official website of Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. I am proud of the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the Sheriff's Office. We are honored to serve and protect the residents of Suffolk County. As your Sheriff, I have made it my priority to protect public safety, speak up and against the grain to do what I know is right, and raise the bar of accountability through robust training, supervision, and adherence to high standards. Throughout my 41-year career in law enforcement, I have also come to believe in the power of community input in government, volunteerism behind the bars, and how correctional institutions can change lives for the better. One of my proudest achievements since taking office is the creation of the S.T.A.R.T. Resource Center on the grounds of the Yaphank Jail. I hope that as you scroll through our website, it will provide you with the information you are seeking, and much more. Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. Suffolk County Sheriff QUICK LINKS NEWS & UPDATES Aún no hay ninguna entrada publicada en este idioma Una vez que se publiquen entradas, las verás aquí.

Contact Us Contact Us The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to serving the residents of Suffolk County with honesty and integrity. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Main: (631) 852-2200 (for all general inquiries) Community Relations The Community Relations Office is responsible for all school and community-based events and more. Visit our Community Programs Page for more information or to partner with us for your next event. Contact Us: (631) 852-5611 & (631) 852-5636 . Public Relations Office The Public Relations Office is responsible for handling all press and media relationships, managing the website and all social media content. Please visit our Press pa ge to see the latest Suffolk County Sheriff's Office news. The Civil Enforcement Bureau The Civil Enforcement Bureau of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is the enforcement arm of the civil courts. Civil actions that are processed by this Bureau include: property executions for real and personal property, income executions, warrants to remove, any service of process, warrants of arrest, orders of seizure, orders of attachment, service of D.W.I. forfeiture summons for the county Attorney, closure orders for Health Services and all other orders issued from any civil court. In addition to civil enforcement, the deputies assigned to the section also enforce Penal law, Criminal Procedure Law, and Vehicle Traffic Law. This section's law-enforcement encompasses all of the 10 townships that comprise Suffolk County. Please contact the appropriate unit below or find more extensive information on the Civil Burea u web pages . General information: (631) 852–5621 Evictions: (631) 852-5621 Property Executions: (631) 852-5627 Income Executions and Salary Garnishments: (631) 852-5623 Real Property Seizures, Bankruptcies, Orders to Show Cause: (631) 852-5615 or (631) 852-5616 Summonses, Warrants of Arrest: (631) 852-5617 Posting Bail For information about posting bail, contact central records at (631) 852-2241 the office is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. ​ ​ Internal Affairs The complaint hotline and phone number for the Internal Affairs Bureau is (631) 852-3819 .