Westhchester County Public Safety Emergency Force

[ec2749]

does anyone here know anything about the westchester county public safety emergency force? I have seen their website and it has some good information. I know that they are a volunteers. I am just looking to see how easy/difficult it is to work join the unit. How many officers are there? What are the general duties? What is the peace officer training like? Is there a good relationship with full time officers, or are the volunteer officers looked at in a negative way? Any other general info would be helpful.

[NYCAPO]

From what I have read about them on their website, it sounds like they are a fully armed and empowered Auxiliary Police force. They only go through a 40 hour basic training course followed by 48 hours of firearms training and 40 hours of yearly in-service training, and must re-qualify yearly with their firearms. They are peace officers on duty and civilians off duty. They have rigorous requirements to join. All in all, it sounds like an awesome place to volunteer.

http://www.westchestergov.com/ps/Contact_Us/PSEF/PSEF_Main_2_Pg.htm

[NYSFI39]

We have used them in my department for large events as extras, usually for parades. They primarily cover those types of events, at least that's the only place I've seen them, at parades directing traffic. It seems to be comprised of mostly older guys. They have to get pistol permits to carrry off duty I believe. They are ok with us only because the department hired the same number of overtime cops as they always have for the event and just supplemented with Sheriff's guys, if they had used the Sheriffs INSTEAD of cops it would have been a problem. The guys I have dealt with seem like good guys.

[americanpolice]

Members of the Westchester County Public Safety Emergency Force are sworn in as Part-Time Deputy Sheriffs. They are not Auxiliary Police as they were founded in 1918 as a reserve force for the Sheriff's Dept and have a separate line in the NYS CPL. Until recently, all members had to go through the full police academy. They go through the same background investigation as the regulars do. They carry on a duty only permit and have police powers on duty only. They can be seen working at special events at the county, city, town and village level, even SUNY Purchase. They are called in to supplement regulars and never have a problem with them because they have an agreement to work only after overtime has been offered to the regulars first.

It is a volunteer position and some use this as a stepping stone to full-time police employment. The position is rewarding as assignments range from DWI checkpoints, Patrol Ride-Alongs, and Site Security to parade and firework details. They enjoy a good working relationship with the County PD as most of the PSEF details do not conflict with County jobs. The PSEF is also highly selective ensuring only the most qualified are members. On average, only 1 in 10 applicants are offered a position.

They are in the process of closing out the application process and looking to have a March Peace Officer training class. Background investigations will begin soon. If you are interested in joining, contact psef@westchestergov.com . See more info under Patrol at http://www.westchestergov.com/ps

[Letmypeoplego]

Although it was not that long ago, I taught in the zone 3 MPTC rookie school
including the firearms training (as late as 2 years ago). I never saw an E-Force volunteer in any of the classes I was involved with. I did have Westchester County summer specials and E-Force personnel, but they only took the 70 hour peace officer class at night.

[Letmypeoplego]

[QUOTE=Until recently, all members had to go through the full police academy.


Although it was not that long ago, I taught in the zone 3 MPTC rookie school
including the firearms training (as late as 2 years ago). I never saw an E-Force volunteer in any of the classes I was involved with. I did have Westchester County summer specials and E-Force personnel, but they only took the 70 hour peace officer class at night.

[americanpolice]

Yes that is correct and confirming what I said. Several years ago, for reasons unknown to me, the Attorney General ruled the members of the E-Force not take the full police officer course. Since then, members have only taken the full Peace Officer course in the evening followed by the Firearms portion.




[QUOTE=Until recently, all members had to go through the full police academy.


Although it was not that long ago, I taught in the zone 3 MPTC rookie school
including the firearms training (as late as 2 years ago). I never saw an E-Force volunteer in any of the classes I was involved with. I did have Westchester County summer specials and E-Force personnel, but they only took the 70 hour peace officer class at night.