Saratoga County’s Decision to Hire Fired Correction Officers

Introduction to the Situation

Saratoga County officials issued a statement on Friday saying the county is open to hiring correction officers who were fired amid a statewide strike in February and March. The announcement comes in the wake of an executive order signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier this month barring involved officers from being employed by the state moving forward.

In a joint statement, Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett, Sheriff Michael Zurlo, and Undersheriff Jeff Brown conveyed frustration with the state’s decision to fire thousands of corrections officers, a sentiment shared by some officials in other counties. Several Saratoga County deputies are dedicated members of the National Guard, who were deployed to serve in the state’s prison system during the strikes.

The Situation’s Impact on Counties

Officials cited the prison system being shorthanded as a burden on counties across New York, professing to have their own patrol coverage issues due to officers being reallocated. The statement called the disruptions "avoidable," adding that the situation’s aftermath has led to increased responsibilities and costs for the county.

Support for Affected Officers

"We fully support officers who had serious concerns that were unaddressed by the state for their own personal safety initiated by the Governor signing the HALT Act and encourage these individuals to apply for employment in Saratoga County," Barrett, Zurlo and Brown’s statement read. "We believe the availability of seasoned officers added to our professional staff will enhance our overall effectiveness, particularly during this challenging situation our Sheriff’s Offices is experiencing."

Available Positions

Officials said that Saratoga County has six open correction officer positions. Stay with NEWS10 as this story continues to develop.

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Conclusion

Saratoga County’s decision to hire fired correction officers is a significant move, reflecting the county’s support for the officers affected by the statewide strike and the executive order. This decision also highlights the challenges faced by counties across New York due to the disruptions in the prison system.

FAQs

• Q: How many correction officer positions are available in Saratoga County?
  A: There are six open correction officer positions in Saratoga County.
• Q: Why is Saratoga County hiring fired correction officers?
  A: Saratoga County is hiring fired correction officers to support those who were affected by the statewide strike and to address the county’s own patrol coverage issues.
• Q: What was the reason behind the firing of correction officers?
  A: The correction officers were fired amid a statewide strike in February and March, following an executive order signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.