In the recent state of the county address by our County Executive Andy Spano he said, “No county is better positioned to meet the challenges ahead than Westchester.” One of the critical challenges that have not been met is the lack of respect and consideration given to hard working County Correction and Police Officers who have been working without a contract since 2006.
Westchester County Law Enforcement Professionals have been diligent in their duty to protect and serve its citizens. They have performed admirably while often under the strain of being wounded in the line of duty or having a partner killed or injured. There are Correction Officers who single-handedly supervise a housing area of 40-60 inmates, there are Officers exposed to deadly diseases like AIDS, Staph infections like MRSA and Hepatitis and inmates have assaulted Correction Officers physically and with bodily fluids. They offer us less and less in the form of heath benefits while we are exposed to more and more health dangers. With no contract in sight, the question remains: while we are protecting the public, who is protecting us?
The hard work of the Correction Officers has paved the way for the department to receive National Accreditation from the American Correction Association (ACA). This means that the Norwood E. Jackson Correctional Facility Correction Officers operate at the highest standards in the nation. What have we received for our hard work? Absolutely nothing! Hard working Correction Officers didn’t even receive an ACA National Accreditation patch! While our performance in high our moral is very low. So where is the respect from Westchester County? Either our Unions are sleeping with the enemy or there has been a loss of respect with unionized labor in regards to hard working Law Enforcement in Westchester County.
In Westchester, we have no one to protect us while we protect and serve. There seems to be no respect for officers that sacrifice their time away from their families and put their lives on the line to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens of Westchester County every day. Truly, this career chooses you. The mental, physical, and emotional stamina that is required to endure the life threatening challenges we face takes a unique individual. Now is the time for the County to stand up and let its actions speak louder than its words to the hard working Correction, Police officers and their families by committing to a fair and equitable contract that will continue to protect and serve those who sacrifice daily to protect and serve the citizens of Westchester County.
The National Black Police Association is a nationwide organization of African American Police Associations dedicated to the promotion of justice, fairness and effectiveness in Law Enforcement. The NBPA has several chartered organizations throughout the United States and associate members in Canada, Bermuda and the United Kingdom. The principal concerns of the NBPA center upon law enforcement issues and the effect of those issues upon the total community. The NBPA serves as an advocate for minority police officers and establishes a national network for the training and education of all police officers and others interested in Law Enforcement.
Damon K. Jones
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