The Bureau of Planning and Development is responsible for researching new initiatives, best practices and models for the department, seeking funding through federal, state and local grants, and analyzing statistical departmental data as well as state and national trend data.
The bureau coordinates and plans staff development. It also develops and implements the department’s comprehensive training program, which involves developing, planning and coordinating mandated training programs in accordance with the New York State Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives and New York State Division Criminal Justice Services, the Westchester County Department of Probation, and the New York State Probation Officer’s Association.
The bureau ensures that the department’s 150 plus sworn probation officers and supervising probation officers receive yearly mandated training, and that other training opportunities relating to field operations (i.e. substance and alcohol abuse, sex offences, domestic violence, DWI, gangs, motivational interviewing, etc.) are offered in a manner that expands and enhances staff development and improves the workforce quality.
The bureau facilitates education and training based on evidence-based practices comprising eight principles that can be elemental in bringing about change in offenders with the hopes of remaining crime free.
Another component of the bureau is the Criminal Justice Advisory Board. The advisory board oversees and monitors alternatives to incarceration programs that are funded through the Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives.