Units/Divisions

Applicant Investigation Unit

The Applicant Investigation Unit (AIU) is responsible for the hiring of all Correction Officers throughout the NYC Department of Correction. Their directive is to ensure that the New York Department of Correction hires the most qualified Correction Officer candidates to join the Department. The candidates are chosen/selected from the Civil Service List. The candidates are investigated and evaluated medically, which includes an agility test and a psychological evaluation to determine the candidate’s fitness for duty. The applicant Investigation Unit investigates thousands of candidates.

Correction Academy

The Correction Academy provides classroom training for DOC uniform staff.   Staff are taught and trained in a variety of topics, to include: Interpersonal Communication Skills, Defensive Tactics, Firearms Training, First Aid/CPR, Adolescent Person in Custody Behavior Management, Mental Health Training, Person in Custody Disciplinary Procedures, Preventing Workplace Violence, Report Writing, Suicide Prevention and Intervention, and Use of Force/Use of Restraints Procedures. The Correction Academy also prepares recruits for transition into Correction Officers by providing on the job training and daily briefings on the duties and responsibilities of a Correction Officer.

Canine Unit (K9)

The Department of Correction canine unit is responsible for conducting facility searches. These searches are often in conjunction with other entities such as the Emergency Service Unit, the Intelligence Unit, and the Special Search Team. The canine unit utilizes active alert German Shepherds, and passive Labradors to patrol the outer and inner perimeters of Rikers Island on every tour, monitor person in custody outdoor recreation, respond to disabled vehicles with persons in custody on board, respond to disturbances within the department and a passive Border collie canine to inspect all person in custody’s in-coming mail.

Fire Safety Unit (FSU)

The Fire Safety Unit (FSU) consists of Correction Officers and Civilians who work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their mission is to ensure optimum fire safety at DOC facilities for all occupants. FSU has taken full responsibility to maintain the department’s $100-million investment of newly installed fire alarm systems and the contract to test, inspect and maintain these vital Life Safety fire alarm systems in accordance with FDNY rules and codes.

Emergency Service Unit (ESU)

 

Emergency Services Unit (ESU) responds to all emergencies within the department, both on and off Rikers Island. ESU responds to various incidents, including fire emergencies, high security person in custody transport, riot control, person in custody escapes, tactical security operations,  cell extractions, perimeter security/response, confined space rescue, vehicle emergencies (i.e. vehicle accidents,).  ESU also responds to all emergency drills (i.e. Fire Evacuation, Yard Drills), provides EMT response, and assists the Port Authority with possible air disasters or related events that may arise.
Other duties include, assist the Special Operations Division with security breaches (red and orange alerts) and enhance security for Rikers Island during emergencies. ESU is readily available to participate in all scheduled and unscheduled searches, and respond to all jail-based incidents. ESU is also responsible for the distribution, repair and maintenance of the departmental chemical agents supply, and provide chemical agent training for new recruits, in-service training, and facility training on Cell Extractions, Defensive Tactics, Cuffing and Escort Procedures.

Firearms & Tactics Unit (FTU)

The Firearms & Tactics Unit (FTU) delivers high-quality and legally defensible training in marksmanship, gun handling, tactics, mindset, and the legal use of lethal force to uniform members of the NYC Correction Department. All training is designed to teach correctional staff to survive deadly-force encounters while simultaneously protecting the community and preserving life. FTU is primarily responsible for providing firearms training to recruit correction officers and correctional staff, providing annual requalification training, performing inspections on newly acquired firearms, and ensuring the proper storage, transfer, disposal, and ownership of firearms.

Communications Unit

The Communications Unit handles the New York City Department of Correction radio and mobile communication needs including video monitoring and all emergency alerts. The Unit is also responsible for installing and maintaining emergency lights, sirens and other necessary applications in all departmental cars.

Correction Assistance Response for Employees (CARE)

The CARE Unit (Correction Assistance Response for Employees) is part of the larger Division of Chaplaincy and Staff Wellness. CARE serves as the Department’s Wellness/Employment Assistance Program. The members of the unit are tasked with responding to and supporting staff generally in the day- to-day aspects of their work-life as well as when unexpected situations including injury or serious emergency arise. The Unit offers dynamic services to all employees to effectively increase the Department’s efficiency, morale, productivity, aide in stress management, and provide a wide variety of support. We address the needs of staff experiencing a range of personal or family issues and well as trauma debriefing, domestic violence, anxiety, family crisis, PTSD, job-related stressors, terminal illness, financial difficulties, substance abuse issues and all other problems not in violation of departmental policies.  The CARE Unit also regularly provides referrals to community resources as an additional source for employees to attain further assistance.  The services of CARE are available to all employees of the Department.

Transportation Division

With over four hundred vehicles in its care, the Transportation Division is charged with transporting persons in custody, staff, visitors and cargo safely and securely. This multifaceted unit handles all of the New York City Department of Correction’s automotive and transportation needs.

Facility Maintenance and Repair Division

The Facility Maintenance and Repair Division works with non-uniformed and uniformed personnel to provide maintenance of buildings, water and electrical systems, operation of the steam tunnels and powerhouse, inspection and servicing of body scanners, alarm systems, as well as installation and maintenance of heating and ventilation systems.