Relief in sight: New recruits to address court officer shortage

February 27, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

New court officer recruits stand with hands over hearts, pledging allegiance to mark the beginning of their rigorous training journey at the Court Officer Academy.
Photos courtesy of the NYS Unified Court System

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On Monday, Feb. 26, the Court Officer Academy in Castleton-on-Hudson welcomed more than 100 new recruits for their initial day of training, marking the start of an intensive four-month program designed to prepare them for a career in law enforcement within New York’s court system.

The comprehensive training regimen will cover a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge areas critical to the role of a court officer. Recruits are expected to achieve proficiency in physical fitness, defensive tactics, basic life support, and firearms handling.

Additionally, the curriculum will delve into academic subjects such as New York State Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and the structure of the courts, alongside agency policies, arrest procedures and the use of non-lethal weapons like batons and pepper spray.

Specialized training areas including counter-terrorism, bomb detection, critical incident management, law enforcement mental health, domestic violence awareness and incident command systems. Practical skills such as prisoner escort, evacuation procedures, defensive driving, and effective communication with the public are also integral parts of the training program.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will embark on careers as court officers.