The New York State Sheriffs’ Association is a not-for-profit corporation formed for the purpose of assisting sheriffs in the efficient and effective delivery of services to the public. It comprises all 58 elected and appointed sheriffs of the State of New York. Since 1934, the Sheriffs’ Association has helped New York’s sheriffs to serve and protect the citizenry through member-supported training programs, accreditation, legislative advocacy, and public safety programs.
Our Mission
Because the Sheriff is a county officer, there is no responsibility on the State to provide training or professional development for Sheriffs in the very complex operations of their office, which typically may include criminal law enforcement, traffic safety, emergency rescue operations, homeland security programs, emergency response teams, civil emergency and disaster response programs, jail operations, correctional alternative management, courtroom security, emergency communications, recreational law enforcement, and civil litigation process.
The Sheriffs’ Association has assumed the considerable role of designing and implementing training programs for Sheriffs and their Undersheriffs, Law Enforcement Supervisors, Jail Managers, Civil Deputy Sheriffs and Correctional Officers.
It is our purpose and goal to:
- provide education and training for Sheriffs and their staffs;
- improve the efficiency and capability of Sheriffs to provide better services in law enforcement, corrections, civil law enforcement, court security and the many other areas of a Sheriff’s responsibility;
- collect, analyze and disseminate important decisions of local, State and Federal courts that may affect the operations of a Sheriff’s Office;
- appear as amicus curiae in court cases affecting Sheriffs and their constituents;
- establish standards of excellence and accredit Sheriff’s Offices that meet those standards;
- assist Sheriffs and counties in their interactions with state and federal agencies;
- seek grants and non-tax funding sources to assure the delivery of needed programs while alleviating the burden on local taxpayers;
- advise members of the New York State Legislature and the Governor’s Office and other agencies of the Executive Branch concerning the feasibility and implications of proposed legislation or administrative rules or regulations affecting Sheriffs and their constituents;
- cooperate with other police agencies and public officers to improve the prevention, detection, and prosecution of crimes and the punishment of criminals;
- and educate member Sheriff’s, their staff and members of the general public in all the areas of Sheriffs’ duties, all so the public might be well served by the Sheriffs of New York State.
Code of Ethics of the Office of Sheriff
As a constitutionally/statutorily elected sheriff, I recognize and accept that I am given a special trust and confidence by the citizens and employees whom I have been elected to serve, represent, and manage. This trust and confidence is my bond to ensure that I shall behave and act according to the highest personal and professional standards. In furtherance of this pledge, I will abide by the following Code of Ethics.
- I shall ensure that I and my employees, in the performance of our duties, will enforce and administer the law according to the standards of the U.S. Constitution and applicable state constitutions and statutes so that equal protection of the law is guaranteed to everyone. To that end I shall not permit personal opinion, party affiliations, or consideration of the status of others to alter or lessen this standard of treatment of others.
- I shall establish, promulgate, and enforce a set of standards of behavior of my employees which will govern the overall management and operation of the law enforcement functions, court related activities, and corrections operations of my agency.
- I shall not tolerate nor condone brutal or inhumane treatment of others by my employees nor shall I permit or condone inhumane or brutal treatment of inmates in my care and custody.
- I strictly adhere to standards of fairness and integrity in the conduct of campaigns for election and I shall conform to all applicable statutory standards of election financing and reporting so that the Office of Sheriff is not harmed by the actions of myself or others.
- I shall routinely conduct or have conducted an internal and external audit of the public funds entrusted to my care and publish this information so that citizens can be informed about my stewardship of these funds.
- I shall follow the accepted principles of efficient and effective administration and management as the principle criteria for my judgments and decisions in the allocation of resources and services in law enforcement, court related, and corrections functions of my office.
- I shall hire and promote only those employees or others who are the very best candidates for a position according to accepted standards of objectivity and merit. I shall not permit other factors to influence hiring or promotion practice.
- I shall ensure that all employees are granted and receive relevant training supervision in the performance of their duties so that competent and excellent service is provided by the Office of Sheriff.
- I shall ensure that during my tenure as sheriff, I shall not use the Office of Sheriff for private gain.
- I accept and adhere to this code of ethics. In so doing, I also accept responsibility for encouraging others in my profession to abide by this Code.
