Westchester is home to several important cities in which the New York State Division of Parole supervises parolees, including White Plains, Yonkers and New Rochelle. Parole officers in Westchester County perform several duties prior to and following the release of offenders. In anticipation of reentry, officers must interview offenders to obtain information about their medical status, requests for government assistance, and the continuation of treatment programs.
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Parole officers utilize this information to generate a plan of supervision. Upon release, parolees are immediately enrolled in community programs like substance abuse recovery, mental health treatment, vocational training and residential programs.
Requirements to Become a Parole Officer in Westchester County, New York
The Division of Parole may hire those interested in becoming Westchester County parole officers for one of two entry-level positions: Parole Officer I or Parole Officer Recruit. The parole officer recruit position provides a starting salary of $34,260 and requires a law degree or a baccalaureate degree in one of the following majors:
- Psychology
- Social work
- Criminal justice
- Counseling
- American ethnic studies
Parole officer I jobs in Westchester County add the requirement of at least three years of experience in one or more of the following fields:
- Criminal justice
- Corrections
- Social service
- Human welfare
It should be noted that many candidates for either of these positions will possess strong qualifications including post-graduate degrees; so prospective parole officers are strongly encouraged to pursue similar academic credentials.
All parole officer jobs require applicants also meet these minimum requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a New York resident
- Have a valid New York driver’s license
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Pass the Parole Officer or Parole Officer Recruit Civil Service Exam
- Ability to complete public officer basic training
The civil service exams for parole officer jobs are usually offered once every four years, but this wait may be extended if no positions are available.
Law Enforcement Training Academy
New recruits must complete an eight-week basic training program conducted at the Senator Hugh T. Farley Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy. This program will provide instruction in the following subjects:
- Criminal procedure law
- Penal law
- Executive law
- Ethics
- Community reentry principles
- Investigative techniques
- Self-defense
- Arrest techniques
- Firearms
In order to obtain public officer certification, graduates must qualify with a firearm. To maintain this accreditation, parole officers must re-qualify with firearms and obtain at least 40 hours of training annually.
Cutting Edge Parole Programs in Westchester County
In 2009, the Division of Parole implemented Operation Halloween in an effort to more intensely monitor the activities of sex offenders in Westchester and the rest of New York State. With almost 1,800 sex offenders under supervision throughout the state, parole officers utilized surveillance, surprise home visits and curfew checks to ensure that the terms of parole were being followed. Several news stations followed officers as they performed these checks.