Legislature approves rehiring policy to credit former state corrections officers if rehired within a year

Sullivan Countylegislators voted unanimously to approve a resolution that allows certain former state corrections officers who are rehired by the county to receive up to 10 years of county service credit for retirement/benefits purposes, provided they apply within six months and are hired within 12 months.

The measure was proposed as a recruitment tool to fill staffing gaps at the county jail by giving experienced officers credit for prior state service. Legislators debated the window of eligibility: some expressed concern that an open-ended rule could allow people who left correctional service years earlier to receive credit, while others, including county staff and sheriffoffice representatives, argued the policy targeted experienced applicants who had already applied and were separated from state service while undergoing background checks.

Committee members clarified how the amended language would work: an applicant must submit an application within six months of separation and be hired within 12 months to receive the credit; the 10-year credit is the maximum and would be subject to retirement-system rules. The sheriffoffice representative told the committee that some candidates in the pool include officers with substantial prior experience (one cited as having 19 years on the job), and that rehiring experienced staff could reduce overtime and improve safety.

The resolution was moved and seconded in committee and passed 9-0. Legislators said the change is intended as a targeted recruitment tool, not a permanent benefit for people who left state employment long ago.

Next steps include finalizing the implementing language in a personnel resolution and coordinating with the countyhuman-resources and retirement administrators to confirm how state service credit will be applied in each individual case.