Back to the Basics: The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office

When you hear the word sheriff, what comes to mind? For me, it used to be old western movies; A dusty town with a lone man with a cowboy hat and shiny silver star tasked with protecting the innocent from an outlaw gang.

What is a Sheriff, and why use that word? The word "sheriff" originates from the Old English term "shire-reeve." The term "shire" referred to a county, while "reeve" meant a manager or steward. Initially, the king appointed a Sheriff; today, we elect a Sheriff.

Errol D. Toulon Jr. is the 67th and current Sheriff of Suffolk County. He is the first African American Sheriff and the first African American elected official to hold a "nonjudicial countywide office" in the history of Suffolk County. Sheriff Toulon was re-elected to a second term on November 2, 2021.

Who pays the Sheriff? The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is primarily funded through the Suffolk County budget, approved annually by the County Legislature. The budget includes allocations for salaries, benefits for the Sheriff's Office staff, as well as funds for equipment, supplies, and other operational expenses. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office can receive funding from grants and other external sources to support specific programs and initiatives. The exact funding levels for the Sheriff's Office can vary from year to year based on factors like overall county budget constraints, changes in staffing needs or program priorities, and external funding opportunities.

In addition to serving legal papers like summonses and subpoenas, the Sheriff's Office has grown to handle the changing needs of our county. Special units in the Sheriff's Office have specific tasks. For instance, the Community Response Team responds to emergencies like natural disasters. The Marine Unit patrols the waters around Suffolk County to ensure that boaters are safe and the waterways are secure. The Canine Unit has trained dogs that help with drug investigations and locating missing persons.

The Sheriff's Office Civil Enforcement Division enforces court-ordered judgments like evictions and property seizures. They usually work closely with other law enforcement agencies to ensure everything is done quickly and efficiently.

One of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office's essential responsibilities is managing the county's jails; the Riverhead Correctional Facility, and the Yaphank Correctional Facility. Management involves maintaining safety and security for inmates and staff, managing inmate populations and services, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards, and handling budgets. It is a complex and demanding task that requires strong leadership and management skills.

The Sheriff's Office has a dedicated Court Security Bureau that uses various measures to maintain safety and order in the courtroom, such as screening tools like metal detectors and X-ray machines, armed deputies, courtroom monitoring, prisoner transport, and emergency response procedures.

The Sheriff's Office Explorers Program is fantastic for young people ages 14 to 20 interested in law enforcement and public safety. Basically, it's a program where they learn about different aspects of law enforcement by riding along with deputies, training in firearm safety, and learning about the criminal justice system.

For all general inquiries, the Sheriff's Office can be reached at (631) 852-2200. The Community Relations Office is responsible for all school and community-based events and can be reached at (631) 852-5611 & (631) 852-5636. You can also visit the website www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com.