Brewster wants its constables exempt from Civil Se

[Guest]

So, they're like cops or what?

Brewster wants its constables exempt from Civil Service

By MARCELA ROJAS

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: November 13, 2006)

BREWSTER - An upcoming state-mandated Civil Service exam has produced another snag in the village's nascent constabulary program.

Officials are now trying to get the part-time constables exempted from taking the test scheduled for Dec. 2, arguing that part-time police officers in the village of Cold Spring are not subject to a Civil Service exam.

"We spent three years putting this together, and potentially not working with the people we've hired is unacceptable," said Mayor John Degnan. "That is secondary to losing administrative control of the group if it goes to Civil Service. This is a real grass-roots movement."

Individuals taking a Civil Service exam are ranked according to performance, and in this case the constable positions would go to the top test-scorers willing to accept the job.

The state constitution requires that all civil service jobs, when created, be competitive unless a request is made to the New York State Civil Service Commission to make a position exempt, said Erin Barlow, spokeswoman with the state Department of Civil Service. The commission would then make a determination.

Paul Eldridge, director of the Putnam County Personnel Department, said a formal request to make Brewster's constabulary positions noncompetitive will be made to the state commission within the next two weeks.

Degnan said Village Attorney Gary Kropkowski is also submitting a written request to meet with the state Department of Civil Service.

"They've told me that the chances are slim to none," Eldridge said. "But I'm willing to work with the village."

In Cold Spring, Eldridge said, the part-time officers' noncompetitive status was approved more than 30 years ago. The village's Police Department has 12 part-time officers and one full-time officer, said Commanding Officer Darrell Burris. The part-time police are not allowed to work more than 1,040 hours per year, he said.

"When it comes to public safety, things have changed over time, particularly since Sept. 11," Eldridge said. "It's hard to get approvals for noncompetitive class."

The village's constabulary program started in July, and the unarmed force is there to address a variety of quality-of-life issues, including code enforcement, illegally parked cars and littering. Constables are paid $15 an hour and work 20 hours per week.

The program has experienced setbacks since it started, including radio communication problems and constables insisting on carrying guns. Village officials denied the arms request, and the issue has not been raised since.

There are now five officers, and the program recently added a community affairs arm to enhance communication between the village and its residents, said Chief Constable Alex Mancone. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Village Hall, 208 Main St.

Mancone said he doesn't think the constables want to take the exam, but they are waiting to see how things play out with the state.

"We are sitting tight and just doing the best job for the community that we can," he said.

[RWC130 594]

State of New York

Police Officer or Peace Officer

I was under the impression that a Constable is a Peace Officer as mentioned

regarding Brewster. They work P/T. Code Enforcement, Parking, Etc.

In Cold Spring they are P/T Police Officers not Constables.

I know Elmsford PD still has some Constables.

They are very big on Long Island in Nassau and Suffolk used as Code Enforcement, Park Patrol, Parking, Etc.

I was under the impression that P/T Police Officers and P/T Constables

in the State of New York were exempt from Civil Service Exams. Maybe

that has or soon will change?

Westchester County Department of Public Safety has Reserve Deputy Sheriff's

they are Volunteer but have full Police Officer powers.

NOTE: I did hear the WC Reserve Sheriff's authority might have been changed to

Peace Officers. They would join, get certified, and jump ship to a PD job.

Someone with knowledge of this please correct me.

[khas143 13]

The Westchester County Deputy Sheriff's are Peace Officers and have been for over 10 years. They currently are required to take an initial 80 hour course.

Prior to that the Sheriff's were Police Officers and went to a part-time Police Academy to get their certification