The Department of Probation operates an academy for new officers. This academy has also been offered to Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Sullivan counties. The 20 week academy includes Basic Course for Peace Officer, Fundamentals of Probation Practice, Probation Officer Safety Training, and Initial Firearms training.
The Course is designed to provide state of the art training in the field of probation to new probation officers and provide required training pursuant to 9 NYCRR Part 346 Staff Development Rule, with an overview of the procedures and legal requirements involved in the work of probation with the goal to reduce offender recidivism. The course provides new probation officers with an opportunity to learn, develop, and practice skills that will be needed to successfully work with individuals who receive probation services. It will offer both an overview of the procedures for probation officers as well as an opportunity to develop concrete skills that will be translated into practice while working with offenders in the community. Successful completion of this course places the new probation officer in compliance with peace officer training requirements according to New York State regulations.
The Training Bureau also oversees in-service trainings for all probation/peace officers. The Bureau provides training in but not limited to the following:
- Motivational Interviewing
- Field Training
- Trauma Informed Care
- Crisis Intervention
- SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression)
- Procedural Justice
Department instructors are certified by NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.