As public servants, correction/jail officers employed by the Suffolk County Sheriff must conduct themselves in an exemplary manner both on and off duty. They must know and scrupulously observe the Department's standards of employee conduct.
Officers ensure the care, custody and control of inmates in accordance with Department policies and procedures. To provide such care, custody and control, officers must tour assigned areas (which requires them in some cases to periodically climb approximately 10-15 stairs); observe inmate activity in person and on closed-circuit monitors; identify inmates who have behavioral, medical or other problems so that appropriate safety and security measures may be taken; and perform general security duties to prevent escape, disorder, rule infractions and harm to inmates, visitors and staff. The general security duties performed by officers require them to search inmates, visitors, cells and other areas for weapons and contraband; monitor and regulate inmate and staff movement; maintain and record inmate counts, cell assignments and other pertinent information; escort inmates within and outside the institution; use and maintain keys and other equipment; and supervise inmate work details. Specific security duties vary by post assignment. Depending on post assignment, both the general and specific security duties range from sedentary to very active in nature.
Officers are supervised and directed by superior officers and must be able to understand and carry out moderately complex oral and written instructions. They are required to prepare accurate written reports and communicate orally and in writing with their superior officers, inmates and staff. If so directed, officers must respond to emergency situations, including incidents involving inmate violence. Depending on assignment, they must be able to respond to such situations by employing emergency equipment, restraints, weapons (including, in certain limited circumstances, firearms) and force when necessary. They must also lift equipment, perform assisted lifting of inmates, exercise sound judgment, and work under pressure in stressful situations.
All officers must participate in training and may be eligible for special, temporary, and/or provisional assignments and duties. Such assignments and duties include transportation, maintenance, entrance control, public affairs, communications, key control, warehouse receiving, property, booking, field supervision, gang intelligence, kitchen, and canteen management.
In keeping with the requirements of both federal and state laws, it is the policy of the Suffolk County Sheriff to make reasonable accommodations to any employee’s physical restrictions, whether arising out of a work-related incident or not, and no post or position is exempt from consideration; the specific accommodations of course depend on the employee’s specific physical restrictions.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
The rank of officer is the initial rung in a chain-of-command ladder that culminates in the Superintendent, who has overall responsibility for the institution. Officers work under the direct supervision of a sergeant and/or one or more corporals who review work for compliance with regulations. Officers also work under the general supervision of Lieutenants and Captains, one of whom is the Shift Commander and the official responsible for the actions and performance of all uniformed officers assigned to a particular shift.
- Ability to work any established shift,
- Regular, punctual and predictable attendance at assigned workplace and post;
- Knowledge of, compliance with, and enforcement of Department policies and procedures;
- Patrolling assigned areas (which may include two-tiered areas with approximately 10-15 stairs) for extended time periods while performing general security duties;5
- Obeying moderately complex oral and written orders;
- Observing inmate and staff activity in person and on closed circuit TV monitors;
- Searching cells, footlockers, housing units, yards and other areas;
- Frisking inmates and performing strip searches;
- Listening for possible disturbances;
- Maintaining inmate counts, making accurate written entries in log books, and preparing accurate written reports;
- Opening and closing doors, cells and gates either manually or electronically;
- Communicating orally and in writing;
- Using communication, emergency and other equipment;
- Applying handcuffs, other restraints and safety devices;
- Performing restraining and self-defense techniques;
- Lifting emergency equipment (e.g. fire extinguisher, defibrillator) and performing assisted lifting of inmates;
- Participation in training;
- Dealing effectively with inmates one-on-one and in large groups;
- Dealing calmly and effectively with stressful situations, including emergencies;
- Exercising sound judgment; and
- Ability to work mandatory overtime
Physical requirements common to the essential duties of MOST positions necessitate the ability to:
1. Sit or stand periodically for 8 hours;
2. Lift up to 15 pounds;
3. Carry up to 5 pounds;
4. Climb stairs;
5. Walk and run short distances;
6. Write or type; and
7. Physically restrain a violent inmate.
The minimum physical requirements for the essential duties of ALL officer positions necessitate ability to:
1. Sit or stand periodically for 8 hours;
2. Lift/carry up to 5 pounds;
3. Occasionally climb stairs;
4. Walk short distances; and
5. Write or type.
1. Carrying and discharging a firearm;
2. Carrying and defensive use of baton;
3. Applying handcuffs and other restraint devices;
4. Operating a Department motor vehicle;
5. Performing computer assisted work;
6. Lifting more than 50 pounds (e.g. Scott Air Pack);
7. Performing routine maintenance work;
8. Working outdoors in all types of weather;
9. Working voluntary overtime; and
10. Other tasks as may be assigned.
