By Erica Bouska
The Record, Troy, N.Y.
TROY, N.Y. — On Monday morning, Rensselaer County welcomed three correctional officers with a combined 47 years of experience. All three resigned from the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) following strikes and firings at state facilities.
“It’s a very sad day for them to have to make that decision,” said Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault after the ceremony. “If they’re gonna come anywhere, I appreciate them coming here because we’re gonna take care of them.”
Though the three officers — Michael Drinkwine, Joshua Jones, and Benjamin Hall — declined to comment, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said that they had resigned from DOCCS. He added that they would have “no reservations” about hiring others who were “wrongfully terminated.”
The strikes were wildcat, ones taken without support or authorization of the union, and according to an AP report, 2,000 correctional officers were fired for not returning to work in early March. On March 11, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order barring officers that participated in the strike from being hired to any New York State agencies.
The executive order will expire on April 9th. Afterward, it “prohibits all state agencies from hiring any correction officers who separated from employment in connection with the illegal strike.”
The restrictions placed on local and county jurisdictions will cease. However, according to a letter from Jackie Bray, Commissioner of New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, they will still need to recertify to be a peace officer as they separated for cause which decertifies their peace officer training certificate in any circumstance, not just the recent events.
Joshua Jones takes the oath at his swearing-in ceremony. ( Erica Bouska – MediaNews Group )
At the ceremony, McLaughlin called the executive order “unconstitutional” and State Sen. Jake Ashby, R-Castleton, said the recent leadership decisions were based on “selfish desire rather than what’s best for the state.” Many speakers mentioned their pride in representing or being from Rensselaer County and the “Back the Blue” mentality of their leaders and residents.
Bourgault said this is the first time he knows of where they have had lateral transfers from DOCCS members to the Rensselaer County Correctional Facility. Normally, they swear in officers to welcome them as new hires with no experience, he said.
It’s usually three months of training before they can utilize a new correctional officer to their full potential, he said. With these three officers’ experience, Bourgault said the department can “significantly lessen” the hours of training which will ease overtime on their current staff with vacant positions.
“47 years as correctional officers, countless schools and trainings, 47 years of knowing how to talk to inmates, 47 years of de-escalating potentially violent and dangerous situations,” Bourgault said. “And 47 years of understanding just how important their jobs are and what it means to public safety.”
The three officers have also proved to be outstanding, hardworking and dedicated, Bourgault said. It was a great feeling to have them reach out to their department when looking for other jobs, the sheriff noted.
Jones and Hall are both Troy High School graduates; Jones grew up in Troy and Hall is a lifelong Rensselaer County resident. Drinkwine also serves with the Brunswick Fire Company and has for many years and works with the Wounded Warriors Foundation .
For experience, Jones has 21 years, Hall has almost 16 and Drinkwine has 10. Bourgault said that those long commitments prove how difficult the decision to leave DOCCS was.
Bourgault said the Rensselaer County Correctional Facility has 27 vacant positions. The three on Monday are the first of 20 plus they are planning to hire from DOCCS in the next two to four weeks, he said.
It will bring the staffing to the highest it’s been since before the pandemic, he said. Bourgault also said the number may be higher and they could fill all the positions.
They’ve worked incredibly hard as a staff to get the hiring process started and quickly completed, he said. Bourgault thanked the officers in the room and let them know that they have heard their pleas to get more people hired and trained.
Ashby, State Assemblymember Scott Bendett, R- Sand Lake, and members of the Rensselaer County Legislature gave the three certificates of recognition from the Senate, citations from the Assembly and letters of commendation. Bendett also gave them some of his challenge coins.
“This is a big day for the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office and Rensselaer County as a whole,” Bourgault said. “The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office has always taken seriously our responsibility to protect and serve those who live and serve in this great county.
“We are proud to welcome these three new members who have the experience, dedication, and commitment needed to help fulfill our mission and keep our county safe,” he continued. “Welcome to the team, boys.”
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