COURT and DEPARTMENT of SOCIAL SERVICES
SECURITY UNITS

The Court & DSS Security Units, divisions of the Ulster County Office of the Sheriff, consists of Deputy Sheriff's whose responsibilities range from weapon screening and maintaining courtroom decorum, to providing essential public safety and law enforcement services. Through these contracted services, the deputies assigned ensure that court and County public assistance environments are safe and secure for the Judiciary, court support staff, county caseworkers, and the public.  The Court Security Unit strives to set the standard for all law enforcement agencies serving the judicial system.  All efforts are  devoted to providing the safest and most secure environments possible.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Court & DSS Security Units consists of three Supervisors, nine Deputy Sheriff’s and two civilian security guards.  All members are responsible for the physical protection of judges, court personnel, attorneys, witnesses, juries, caseworkers, clients and the public that have business within the Ulster County Family Court, County Court and Department of Social Services Resource Center.

Visitors to the courts and social services may experience a slight delay upon entering the building due to the necessity of physically passing through a magnetometer, having their packages, purses and clothing passed through an X-Ray machine, and in some cases a personal body scan may be required.  These procedures are necessary to ensure the health and safety of all who have business in the court building. Based upon the weapons screening statistics and the numbers of arrests and incidents, these are prudent measures to ensure the safety of all.

 Specific Duties Include:

Weapons screening at all entrances.
Maintaining order and decorum in courtrooms, waiting areas and court premises.
Building patrols.
Guard, transport, and isolate sequestered juries.
Effect arrests, remands, and confiscate contraband when necessary.
Assume responsibility for all emergency response including medical, fire, bomb threat, and others

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