DUTCHESS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office was formed in 1717 after Sheriff Corneles Van Denbogart was assigned the position by the King of England. In 2017, under the leadership of Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office completed 300 years of service to the County of Dutchess.

The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county and is responsible for maintaining and running the county jail. Dutchess County services an area of 825 square miles. This includes 20 towns, 8 villages and 2 cities with a total county population of approximately 300,000 residents. 

SPECIALIZED CORRECTIONS UNITS

• Booking and Classification
• Correctional Emergency Response Team
• Correctional Investigation Unit
• Fire Team
• Honor Guard
• K-9 Unit
• RESTART Program Unit
• Training Division
• Transportation Team 

DUTCHESS COUNTY JAIL EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:

• 25 year NYS Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457b plan) available
• Tuition reimbursement available
• Up to 14 college credits earned for academy graduation
• Union membership available (DCSEA)
• Heath Insurance (NYSHIP or MVP)
• Dental and vision included with union membership
• Shift compensation of 5% for 4pm-12am shift and 10% for 12am-8am shift.
• Overtime pay rate earned at time and a half.
• 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, personal and sick days.
  • Vacation days earned:
    2 weeks after your first year*
    2 weeks after 2 years of service
    3 weeks after 5 years of service
    4 weeks after 15 years of service
    5 weeks after 20 years of service
• Opportunities for promotional exams
• Paid yearly in-service training
• Starting Salary is $58,459 a year
• Additional longevity pay after 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service
• Health insurance for retired officers
• Pay periods- pay checks are issued on a bi-weekly schedule and by direct deposit.
• Ability to earn compensatory time and take additional time off
• Shift swaps available

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• A valid driver’s license.
• 20 years of age to be eligible for appointment
• U.S. citizenship (Dutchess County residents given preference for employment)
• No felony convictions (certain misdemeanor convictions may prevent employment)

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

The written exam must be passed before you will receive notice of when your physical fitness test will be. You must then pass the physical fitness test:

• Five Minute Step Test-The candidate will lift one foot at a time while stepping on and off a 12-inch bench/step. The candidate must maintain consistent movement on and off the bench/step for the entire duration of the five (5) minute testing period.
• Body Transport Test-The candidate will lift and pull a 140 pound dummy a distance of thirty (30) feet. 
• Door Operation and Stair Climb Test-The candidate must properly operate (lock/unlock) a standard use security door, using the assigned key. The candidate will then
• ascend and descend three (3) flight of stairs. The candidate must again properly operate a standard use security door.
• Suspended Dummy Raise-The candidate must lift a 140-pound hanging dummy (using a bear hug) high enough to relieve rope tension (thereby taking pressure off the neck) and hold for five (5) seconds.

APPLICANT PROCESSING

After you pass your physical fitness test, your applicant processing will include:

• Initial applicant screening interview
• Complete background investigation
• Polygraph Exam
• Psychological Exam
• Medical Exam
• Final Interview

(Note: applicants may be disqualified at any point during this process for failing to meet the standards)

HOW TO APPLY

Applications, as well as Recruitment and Examination Announcements for the Corrections Officer civil service exam are available at the bottom of this page when the announcement is open as well as at the Dutchess County Department of Human Resources, Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm at the following address:

Dutchess Co. Department of Human Resources 
Dutchess County Office Building - 5th floor 
22 Market Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: 845-486-2169 Fax: 845-486-2186 
dcpersonnel@dutchessny.gov

DUTCHESS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
108 PARKER AVE
POUGHKEEPSIE NY 12601
ATTN: TRAINING BUREAU

DUTCHESS COUNTY JAIL’S MISSION STATEMENT:

The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Correction Division is committed to fulfilling the needs of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and the community at large by providing for the safe, secure, and humane housing of persons committed to its custody.

In order to accomplish this mission we shall:

• Maintain the safety and good order of the facility through the practice of a humane treatment philosophy that ensures that inmates are not subject to unlawful discriminatory treatment based upon race, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, age, or political beliefs
• Comply with all federal and state laws and the NYS Minimum Standards for County Jails and Penitentiaries
• Design and implement cost effective and efficiently operated programs
• Incorporate flexibility and adaptability in all operational designs
• Implement and adhere consistently to new and innovative correction concepts
• Provide appropriate organizational support programs and services