Sheriff Partners with SUNY Oneonta to Find New Deputies

ONEONTA — Facing a steady decline in applicants for new sheriff’s deputy positions, the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office is seeking creative new ways to find qualified candidates on the SUNY Oneonta campus.

Working closely alongside SUNY Oneonta Law Enforcement Academy instructors, Schoharie County Undersheriff Bruce Baker and his team are reimagining the traditional hiring practices followed by most rural law enforcement agencies.

Four members of the active class of cadets at the SUNY Oneonta Law Enforcement Academy were officially sworn in this month as provisional Schoharie County Road Deputies while they complete their studies and certifications. The provisional deputies will take the September civil service exam and will move to permanent status when they obtain reachable exam scores and graduate from the academy.

The Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office seeks to hire up to 10 deputies and will guarantee full-time positions upon graduation and meeting the residency requirement.

“We’ve seen a dramatic decline in the pool of candidates applying when simply making a public job listing,” Baker said. “Partnering with the SUNY Oneonta Law Enforcement Academy allows me and my officers to spend quality time with potential candidates to access their character and establish the rapport to discuss the benefits and challenges of law enforcement in rural areas today.”

Like many rural communities across New York, Schoharie County and the Village of Cobleskill are struggling to find sufficient law enforcement coverage while overcoming financial, population and recruitment challenges. The Schoharie County Sheriff's Office has gotten approval to expand its road patrol from 22 to 29 positions.

SUNY Oneonta Law Enforcement Academy Director Joseph Galante said the partnership is mutually beneficial.

“Having the active participation of the Schoharie County Sheriff in the curriculum and training of the SUNY Oneonta Law Enforcement Academy strengthens our program,” Galante said. “Our goal is to help more students train for a career in law enforcement today, and job opportunities upon graduation that encourage our cadets to stay in the region is an added bonus that we eagerly celebrate.”

“We are proud to collaborate with community partners, like the Schoharie County Sheriff, to address workforce development challenges,” says Dr. Alberto Cardelle, SUNY Oneonta President. “Our mission at SUNY Oneonta is to prepare our students to succeed and find opportunities to engage in building communities across the state and with the hope that some find those opportunities in our immediate region.”