New class of correction officers sworn in to patrol the Nassau jail
Forty correction officers, nine women and 31 men, were sworn in Monday as the newest class of recruits to patrol the Nassau County jail in East Meadow — the largest in more than a decade.
The rookies, some of whom already have military or law enforcement experience, took the oath of office along with four Nassau County fire marshals in the Ceremonial Chamber of the Theodore Roosevelt Legislative and Executive Building in Mineola.
“Our correctional officers and fire marshals are an integral part of ensuring public safety in Nassau County, and I will continue to do all I can to support and strengthen their mission,” said Nassau County Executive Curran, in a statement issued a day after administering the oath.
The recruits will undergo a 14-week training program that includes new courses such as Mental Health First Aid and Narcan training, county officials said. They will complete the training along with a Glen Cove Harbor Patrol officer and Town of Oyster Bay constable.
Curran noted that contractual step increases in salary for all correction officers were recently protected from any wage freezes that could be imposed by the county’s budget watchdog — the Nassau Interim Finance Authority — through state legislation signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in November.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome this large and diverse group of correction officer recruits,” said Nassau County Sheriff Vera Fludd. “We are continuing to move forward in recruiting and hiring people who want to serve Nassau County in this challenging yet rewarding law enforcement profession.”
The 40 recruits consist of six white women, two black women, one Hispanic woman, 21 white men, five black men and five Hispanic men.
The Carman Avenue jail is one of the largest in New York State, with a capacity of about 1,500 inmates, according to state officials.
“I am extremely proud and happy to see this large number of recruits hired as correction officers in Nassau County,” said Brian J. Sullivan, president of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Correction Officers Benevolent Association, in the same statement issued by Curran and Fludd. “We still have much more work to do to get our work force back up to full strength and I am hopeful that the county executive and Civil Service will continue to work with us to bring this department back to its rightful place in the Law Enforcement Community.”
Sullivan said the force has been reduced due to recent retirements. Officials did not release information Tuesday how many officers were on the force and the current racial breakdown. But this group of 40 enters training four months after another recruit class of 25 graduated the Sheriff’s Training Academy. That group has since begun working at the jail.

Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.

Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.