Suffolk Sheriff Turns to Social Media to Recruit Next Generation of Correction Officers

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is putting a personal face on its latest recruitment drive, turning to social media and veteran correction officers to encourage prospective candidates to sign up for the upcoming Correction Officer I civil service exam.

Applications remain open through September 16th, with the written examination scheduled for October 24th.

The Sheriff’s Office has been highlighting employees in videos that give potential applicants a glimpse into careers inside Suffolk County’s correctional facilities.

One recent video features Correction Officer Lauren Hagan, who has spent the past three years working in Central Control.

“Hello, my name is Correction Officer Lauren Hagan, and I have been with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 13 years,” Hagan said in the video. Hagan described some of the responsibilities that come with working in Central Control, where officers play a critical role in overseeing operations and responding to incidents throughout a correctional facility.

“What we do there is we monitor the jail, we respond to radio transmissions, and also respond electronically [to] any potential emergencies that may occur throughout the facility, and we also maintain the safety and security at all times,” Hagan said.

The video is part of a broader social media push by Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon Jr. and his office to generate interest in the exam by showcasing the people already doing the job and the variety of assignments available to correction officers.

The campaign also emphasizes compensation and opportunities for advancement. According to the Sheriff’s Office, first-year compensation for correction officers is $60,617 when line-up pay, shift differential, holiday pay, lock-in pay and a cleaning allowance are included. Employees receive annual salary increases.

“You’ve answered the call before. You can answer it again,” Toulon said in an earlier recruitment message. “At the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, we’re more than a workplace, we’re a family dedicated to excellence, integrity, and serving our community.”

Correction officers are responsible for maintaining safety and security within Suffolk County’s correctional facilities while also supporting rehabilitation efforts and programs aimed at helping incarcerated individuals successfully return to their communities.

The benefits package includes health, vision and dental insurance, life insurance, issued uniforms and equipment, tuition reimbursement, longevity pay, military time credit, New York State pension benefits and paid leave.

Correction officers can qualify for retirement after 25 years of service at 50% of salary or after 30 years at 60%, regardless of age, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The department has also stressed that a corrections career can extend well beyond traditional assignments inside the county’s jails. Officers may have opportunities for specialized training, career advancement, leadership development and assignments involving intelligence, rehabilitation programs, task forces and community initiatives.

By using officers such as Hagan to explain their work directly to prospective applicants, the Sheriff’s Office is supplementing traditional civil service recruitment with short-form social media content designed to reach potential candidates where they already spend time online.

“Take the first step toward a rewarding career in public service,” the Sheriff’s Office said in promoting the exam.

Those interested in becoming a Suffolk County correction officer can find qualification information and register through the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office website. The application deadline is Sept. 16, and the written exam is scheduled for October 24th.

Candidates can apply online through the Suffolk County Department of Civil Service website. The Correction Officer I examination is Exam No. 5501, and the application fee is $125, although qualifying applicants may be eligible for a fee waiver.

Applicants with questions can contact the Suffolk County Department of Civil Service at 631-853-5500. The department is located at 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, William J. Lindsay County Complex, Building 158, Hauppauge.