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'''Errol D. Toulon Jr.''' (born July 20, 1962) is the 67th and current Sheriff of [[Suffolk County, New York]] on [[Long Island]]. Toulon is the first [[African American]] sheriff and first African American elected official to hold a "nonjudicial countywide office" in the history of Suffolk County.<ref name="Brand"/> Sheriff Toulon was re-elected to a second term on November 2, 2021.
'''Errol D. Toulon Jr.''' (born July 20, 1962) is the 67th and current sheriff of [[Suffolk County, New York]] on [[Long Island]]. Toulon is the first [[African American]] sheriff and first African American elected official to hold a nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.<ref name="Brand"/> Sheriff Toulon was re-elected to a second term on November 2, 2021.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Errol D. Toulon Jr. was raised in [[The Bronx, New York]]. His parents are Errol Sr. and Alma. His father was a deputy commissioner in the New York City Department of Corrections and his mother worked in education.<ref name=early>{{Cite news|url=http://tbrnewsmedia.com/may-not-know-new-sheriff-town/|title=What you may not know about the new sheriff in town|author=Kevin Redding|work=TBR News Media|date=December 21, 2017|access-date=June 17, 2022}}</ref> In the late 1970s, "Junior" served for two years as a [[batboy]] for the [[New York Yankees]].<ref name="NYSportsday">{{cite web|url=https://www.nysportsday.com/2018/01/13/negrons-impact-yankee-pride-at-sheriff-toulons-inauguration/|title=Negrons Impact: Yankee Pride at Sheriff Toulon’s Inauguration|website=NY Sports Day}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-14 |title=This Bronx tale stars several Yankees greats and a future history-making bat boy |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/bat-boy-yankees-sheriff-jackson-murcer-steinbrenner-w16166 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref>
Errol D. Toulon Jr. was raised in [[The Bronx, New York]]. His parents are Errol Sr. and Alma. His father was a Level I Warden in the New York City Department of Corrections and his mother worked in education.<ref name=early>{{Cite news|url=http://tbrnewsmedia.com/may-not-know-new-sheriff-town/|title=What you may not know about the new sheriff in town|author=Kevin Redding|work=TBR News Media|date=December 21, 2017|access-date=June 17, 2022}}</ref> In the late 1970s, "Junior" served for two years as a [[batboy]] for the [[New York Yankees]].<ref name="NYSportsday">{{cite web|url=https://www.nysportsday.com/2018/01/13/negrons-impact-yankee-pride-at-sheriff-toulons-inauguration/|title=Negrons Impact: Yankee Pride at Sheriff Toulon’s Inauguration|website=NY Sports Day}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-14 |title=This Bronx tale stars several Yankees greats and a future history-making bat boy |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/bat-boy-yankees-sheriff-jackson-murcer-steinbrenner-w16166 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref>


He graduated from [[Cardinal Hayes High School]] and earned a [[Master of Business Administration]] degree at [[Dowling College]] in 2007. He went on to earn an Advanced Certificate in Homeland Security Management from [[Long Island University]]. Toulon completed his Doctorate in Educational Administration from Dowling College in 2011.{{cn|date=June 2023}}
He graduated from [[Cardinal Hayes High School]] and earned a [[Master of Business Administration]] degree at [[Dowling College]] in 2007. He went on to earn an Advanced Certificate in Homeland Security Management from [[Long Island University]]. Toulon completed his Doctorate in Educational Administration from [[Dowling College]] in 2011.{{cn|date=June 2023}}


== Suffolk County Sheriff ==
== Career ==
With over 300,000 votes cast, Toulon was elected with 49.56% of the vote in 2017 in his bid for Suffolk County Sheriff, defeating challenger Larry Zacarese.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.suffolkcountyny.gov/boe/eleres/17ge/default.htm|title=Final Results of General Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2017|publisher=Suffolk County Board of Elections}}</ref> On January 12, 2018 Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. was sworn into office by New York Governor [[Andrew M. Cuomo]].<ref name=early/> He became the first African-American elected to any nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.<ref name="Brand">{{cite web |last1=Brand |first1=Rick |title=Toulon sworn in as Suffolk sheriff |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/errol-toulon-suffolk-sheriff-1.16148672 |website=Newsday |access-date=28 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref> As Sheriff, Toulon has focused on combating gangs and the opioid epidemic, implementing programs to fight recidivism, and providing access to community programs for Suffolk County residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/errol-toulon-suffolk-sheriff-1.16148672|title=Errol Toulon Jr. sworn in as Suffolk County sheriff|website=Newsday.com}}</ref>


=== New York City Department of Corrections ===
== Assistant Deputy County Executive for Suffolk County ==
Toulon served as the Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety under the administration of County Executive [[Steve Bellone]]. From this position, he oversaw 10,000 employees and an operating budget of $2.5 billion. the [[Suffolk County Police Department]], Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, the Probation Department, the Medical Examiner's Office, and the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/top-bellone-aide-an-ex-rikers-captain-tapped-as-nyc-dep-comm-1.8703167|title=Top Bellone aide, an ex-Rikers captain tapped as NYC deputy commissioner|work=Newsday}}</ref>

== New York City Department of Corrections ==
Toulon spent 22 years as a uniformed Member of Service with the [[New York City Department of Correction]] at [[Riker’s Island]], where he served as a supervisor and instructor at the Correction Academy, the Firearms and Tactics Unit, Emergency Service Unit and Office of Compliance Consultants.
Toulon spent 22 years as a uniformed Member of Service with the [[New York City Department of Correction]] at [[Riker’s Island]], where he served as a supervisor and instructor at the Correction Academy, the Firearms and Tactics Unit, Emergency Service Unit and Office of Compliance Consultants.


In July 2014, Toulon was named Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the New York City Department of Corrections.<ref name="tbrnewsmedia">{{cite web|url=http://tbrnewsmedia.com/history-made-toulin-sworn-suffolk-sheriff/|title=History made: Toulon sworn in as Suffolk Sheriff|publisher=TBR NEWSMEDIA}}</ref> As Deputy Commissioner of Operations, he oversaw 10,000 employees (uniformed and civilian) and an operating budget of $1.8 billion. He acted as senior advisor to the commissioner on all aspects of operations and system improvements and directly supervised the department's Correction Academy, the Correction Intelligence Bureau, the Operations Security Intelligence Unit, the Fusion Center, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire & Safety Unit, the Policies and Procedures Unit, the Nutritional Services Unit, the Environmental Health Unit, the Financial and Engineering Auditing Unit, PREA, and the Office of Policy Compliance. His main objective was focusing on improving management and strategy.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title=Errol David Toulon, Jr. Ed.D. Curriculum Vitae|last=Toulon, Jr.|first=Errol|year=2020|pages=2}}</ref>
In July 2014, Toulon was named Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the New York City Department of Corrections.<ref name="tbrnewsmedia">{{cite web |title=History made: Toulon sworn in as Suffolk Sheriff |url=http://tbrnewsmedia.com/history-made-toulin-sworn-suffolk-sheriff/ |publisher=TBR NEWSMEDIA}}</ref> As Deputy Commissioner of Operations, he oversaw 10,000 employees (uniformed and civilian) and an operating budget of $1.8 billion. He acted as senior advisor to the commissioner on all aspects of operations and system improvements and directly supervised the department's Correction Academy, the Correction Intelligence Bureau, the Operations Security Intelligence Unit, the Fusion Center, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire & Safety Unit, the Policies and Procedures Unit, the Nutritional Services Unit, the Environmental Health Unit, the Financial and Engineering Auditing Unit, PREA, and the Office of Policy Compliance. His main objective was focusing on improving management and strategy.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Toulon, Jr. |first=Errol |title=Errol David Toulon, Jr. Ed.D. Curriculum Vitae |year=2020 |pages=2}}</ref>

== Corrections Intelligence Center ==
On April 26, 2023, Sheriff Toulon launched the Corrections Intelligence Center on the grounds of the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank. According to Toulon, this center is the first-of-its-kind jail intelligence network that shares data, trends, best practices, and potential threats across jails and prisons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 26, 2023 |last=Ponton |first=Thema |title=Suffolk sheriff announces launch of Correction Intelligence Center at Yaphank Correctional Facility |url=https://newjersey.news12.com/suffolk-sheriff-announces-launch-of-correction-intelligence-center-at-yaphank-correctional-facility |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=News 12 - New Jersey}}</ref> The Corrections Intelligence Center is fully staffed with specially trained Corrections Intelligence Officers from participating agencies including New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision, New York City Department of Corrections, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Westchester Department of Corrections and Morris County (NJ) Sheriff’s Office. The center also includes remote participation from 20 additional Counties in the regional area that are participating in bi-weekly roundtables in addition to receiving immediate alerts to potential threats and trends.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-26 |title=Suffolk sheriff launches effort to track threats within jails, prisons |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-county-sheriff-errol-toulon-jr-the-corrections-intelligence-center-n1fqhzcy |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref>

"This is a critical tool in stopping the flow of drugs into our jails, and ultimately into our neighborhoods," the sheriff said at a press conference held in Yaphank with law enforcement and correction officials from across the state. "We will completely revolutionize, and really look to destroy, criminal networks in our community."<ref name=":4" />

Sheriff Toulon also announced plans to expand the CIC to national and international partners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suffolk Sheriff unveils Corrections Intelligence Center |url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/post/suffolk-sheriff-unveils-corrections-intelligence-center |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com}}</ref> "There are no boundaries," he said, "and we have to share information. There should not be silos in what we do," Toulon said.<ref name=":4" />

==Chaplaincy program ==
In April 2018, Toulon started a new chaplaincy program to assist in times of need for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Staff.  The 10 Chaplains, from various religious faiths were sworn in at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-sheriff-s-chaplains-1.18274688|title=Suffolk Sheriff's Office Swears in 8 Chaplains to Help Employees|website=Newsday}}</ref>


=== Assistant Deputy County Executive for Suffolk County ===
According to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/sheriffs-office-chaplains|title=Sheriff's Office Chaplains {{!}} Sheriff's Office {{!}} Suffolk County Sheriffs Office {{!}}|website=Suffolk Sheriff, NY|language=en|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> the purpose of the Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Program is to provide interfaith emotional and spiritual counsel to Sheriff’s Office employees and their families during times of need and heightened stress.
Toulon served as the Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety from September 2012 to July 2014 under the administration of County Executive [[Steve Bellone]]. From this position, he oversaw 10,000 employees and an operating budget of $2.5 billion. the [[Suffolk County Police Department]], Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, the Probation Department, the Medical Examiner's Office, and the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Top Bellone aide, an ex-Rikers captain tapped as NYC deputy commissioner |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/top-bellone-aide-an-ex-rikers-captain-tapped-as-nyc-dep-comm-1.8703167}}</ref>


== Senior Citizen Program POD ==
=== Suffolk County Sheriff ===
With over 300,000 votes cast, Toulon was elected with 49.56% of the vote in 2017 in his bid for Suffolk County Sheriff, defeating challenger Larry Zacarese.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.suffolkcountyny.gov/boe/eleres/17ge/default.htm|title=Final Results of General Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2017|publisher=Suffolk County Board of Elections}}</ref> On January 12, 2018, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. was sworn into office by New York Governor [[Andrew M. Cuomo]].<ref name="early" /> He became the first African American elected to any nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.<ref name="Brand">{{cite web |last1=Brand |first1=Rick |title=Toulon sworn in as Suffolk sheriff |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/errol-toulon-suffolk-sheriff-1.16148672 |website=Newsday |access-date=28 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/errol-toulon-suffolk-sheriff-1.16148672|title=Errol Toulon Jr. sworn in as Suffolk County sheriff|website=Newsday.com}}</ref> As Sheriff, Toulon has focused on combating gangs and the opioid epidemic, implementing programs to fight recidivism, and providing access to community programs for Suffolk County residents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. B. R. |date=2019-01-15 |title=Suffolk County program aims to decrease jail recidivism {{!}} TBR News Media |url=https://tbrnewsmedia.com/suffolk-county-program-aims-to-decrease-jail-recidivism/ |access-date=2023-11-17 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has started a program that tries to fill the needs of older men jailed at the county correctional facility. The Senior Rehabilitation Pod Program is believed to be the first in the nation to segregate male inmates 50 and older from younger inmates to better concentrate on services more suited to the older inmates' needs. The program offers a wide range of services — everything from 12-step programs to employment counseling to mental health services — dedicated to improving the quality of older inmates’ lives while they are in jail and when they are released.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-jail-inmates-sheriff-1.20665779|title=LI Correctional Facility Carves Out A Separate Space for Older Inmates|work=Newsday}}</ref>


The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has started a program that tries to fill the needs of older men jailed at the county correctional facility. The Senior Rehabilitation Pod Program is believed to be the first in the nation to segregate male inmates 50 and older from younger inmates to better concentrate on services more suited to the older inmates' needs. The program offers a wide range of services — everything from 12-step programs to employment counseling to mental health services — dedicated to improving the quality of older inmates’ lives while they are in jail and when they are released.<ref>{{Cite news |title=LI Correctional Facility Carves Out A Separate Space for Older Inmates |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-jail-inmates-sheriff-1.20665779}}</ref>
== Y.E.S. (Youth Enlightenment Seminar) Tours ==
In 1979 the Youth Enlightenment Seminar (YES) Tours were established at the Riverhead Correctional Facility. The Community Relations Unit of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, conducts the Y.E.S. Tours. Although the Sheriff's Office is interested in raising the consciousness of all Suffolk County youth regarding the realities of criminal behavior and imprisonment, the main target population is composed of those adolescents who are on the verge of becoming involved or becoming more deeply involved in criminal activity and criminal association.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Y.E.S. Youth Enlightenment Seminars|publisher=Suffolk County Sheriff's Office- Community Relations Unit|year=2020|pages=1}}</ref>


In April 2018, Toulon started a new chaplaincy program to assist in times of need for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Staff.  The 10 Chaplains, from various religious faiths were sworn in at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suffolk Sheriff's Office Swears in 8 Chaplains to Help Employees |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-sheriff-s-chaplains-1.18274688 |website=Newsday}}</ref> According to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Sheriff's Office Chaplains {{!}} Sheriff's Office {{!}} Suffolk County Sheriffs Office {{!}} |url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/sheriffs-office-chaplains |access-date=2020-01-17 |website=Suffolk Sheriff, NY |language=en}}</ref> the purpose of the Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Program is to provide interfaith emotional and spiritual counsel to Sheriff’s Office employees and their families during times of need and heightened stress.
As part of the program, the students receive a tour of the correctional facility and engage in a dialogue with a select group of inmates who have been involved in the system and are willing to share their experiences with the visiting youth.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dooley |first1=Eugene |title=The Sheriffs of Suffolk County |date=1989 |publisher=Suffolk County Sheriff's Office |location=New York |page=125 |edition=1st}}</ref>


In February 2020, Toulon launched the Sheriff's Transition and Reentry Team (S.T.A.R.T.) Resource Center. Located on the grounds of the Yaphank Correctional Center, the START Resource Center provides assistance to current and former inmates as they transition back into the community, whether they were incarcerated in Suffolk County or are returning to Suffolk after incarceration upstate or in another state.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-30 |title=Suffolk jail resource center offers help to inmates facing life on the outside |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/yaphank-suffolk-county-jail-u73087 |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref> This assistance comes in the form of employment assistance, help finding housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, clothing, and food. The START Center is staffed by five correction officers (three of which are correction counselors and two are Community Correction Officers<ref>{{Cite web |title=The START Resource Center {{!}} Suffolk County Sheriff's Office |url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/start-center |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com}}</ref>). Satellite locations of the Center were opened in Wyandanch and Port Jefferson<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Suffolk Sheriff Opens New Resource Center To Help Former Inmates Reenter Society |url=https://patch.com/new-york/portjefferson/suffolk-sheriff-opens-port-jefferson-center-help-former-inmates |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Port Jefferson, NY Patch |language=en}}</ref> to help better meet the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals who have transportation problems. Since its inception, the START Center has assisted more than 500 inmates and boasts that former inmates who work with the Center have a 12% recidivism rate as opposed to the national average of 30%.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. sworn in to a second term |language=en |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-sheriff-errol-toulon-swearing-in-o55068 |access-date=2023-11-17}}</ref>
According to the Community Relations Unit of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, the goals of the YES Tours are to help adolescents realize how easily antisocial criminal behavior can lead to prison, to offer support to parents, churches, and all those who are attempting to work with these adolescents, and to foster an awareness that only through work and education can life's most meaningful goals be accomplished.<ref name=":0" />


On April 26, 2023, Toulon launched the Corrections Intelligence Center on the grounds of the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in [[Yaphank, New York|Yaphank]]. According to Toulon, this center is the first-of-its-kind jail intelligence network that shares data, trends, best practices, and potential threats across jails and prisons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 26, 2023 |last=Ponton |first=Thema |title=Suffolk sheriff announces launch of Correction Intelligence Center at Yaphank Correctional Facility |url=https://newjersey.news12.com/suffolk-sheriff-announces-launch-of-correction-intelligence-center-at-yaphank-correctional-facility |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=News 12 - New Jersey}}</ref> The Corrections Intelligence Center is fully staffed with specially trained Corrections Intelligence Officers from participating agencies including [[New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision]], [[New York City Department of Correction]], [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau County]] Sheriff’s Office, [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester]] Department of Corrections and [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]] (NJ) Sheriff’s Office. The center also includes remote participation from 20 additional counties in the regional area that are participating in bi-weekly roundtables in addition to receiving immediate alerts to potential threats and trends.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-26 |title=Suffolk sheriff launches effort to track threats within jails, prisons |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-county-sheriff-errol-toulon-jr-the-corrections-intelligence-center-n1fqhzcy |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref> Sheriff Toulon also announced plans to expand the CIC to national and international partners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suffolk Sheriff unveils Corrections Intelligence Center |url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/post/suffolk-sheriff-unveils-corrections-intelligence-center |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com}}</ref>
In November 2018, The Yaphank Correctional Facility opened its doors to student tours for the first time in a Youth Enlightenment Seminar (YES) tour. The students toured the facility and had the opportunity speak with inmates about making good choices.<ref name="News12">{{Cite news|url=http://longisland.news12.com/story/39496966/law-enforcement-students-get-close-up-view-of-jail-life-in-yaphank|title=Law Enforcement Students Get Close Up View of Jail Life in Yaphank|work=News12}}</ref>


== Personal ==
== Personal life ==
Toulon is a two time cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]] in 1996 and with [[pancreatic cancer]] in 2003.<ref name=early/> His first wife, Susan, died after 29 years of marriage. They had two children. He remarried in 2016.<ref name=early/>
Toulon is a three-time cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]] in 1996 and with [[pancreatic cancer]] in 2003.<ref name=early/> His first wife, Susan, died after 29 years of marriage. They had two children. He remarried in 2016.<ref name=early/>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 12:23, 1 November 2024

Errol D. Toulon Jr.
67th Sheriff of Suffolk County
Assumed office
January 1, 2018 (2018-01-01)
Preceded byVincent F. DeMarco
Personal details
Born (1962-07-20) July 20, 1962 (age 62)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSusan Toulon

(m. 1984; died 2013)

Christina Toulon (m. 2016)
Children2
ResidenceSuffolk County, New York
Websitesuffolksheriff.com

Errol D. Toulon Jr. (born July 20, 1962) is the 67th and current sheriff of Suffolk County, New York on Long Island. Toulon is the first African American sheriff and first African American elected official to hold a nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.[1] Sheriff Toulon was re-elected to a second term on November 2, 2021.

Early life and education

[edit]

Errol D. Toulon Jr. was raised in The Bronx, New York. His parents are Errol Sr. and Alma. His father was a Level I Warden in the New York City Department of Corrections and his mother worked in education.[2] In the late 1970s, "Junior" served for two years as a batboy for the New York Yankees.[3][4]

He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School and earned a Master of Business Administration degree at Dowling College in 2007. He went on to earn an Advanced Certificate in Homeland Security Management from Long Island University. Toulon completed his Doctorate in Educational Administration from Dowling College in 2011.[citation needed]

Career

[edit]

New York City Department of Corrections

[edit]

Toulon spent 22 years as a uniformed Member of Service with the New York City Department of Correction at Riker’s Island, where he served as a supervisor and instructor at the Correction Academy, the Firearms and Tactics Unit, Emergency Service Unit and Office of Compliance Consultants.

In July 2014, Toulon was named Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the New York City Department of Corrections.[5] As Deputy Commissioner of Operations, he oversaw 10,000 employees (uniformed and civilian) and an operating budget of $1.8 billion. He acted as senior advisor to the commissioner on all aspects of operations and system improvements and directly supervised the department's Correction Academy, the Correction Intelligence Bureau, the Operations Security Intelligence Unit, the Fusion Center, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire & Safety Unit, the Policies and Procedures Unit, the Nutritional Services Unit, the Environmental Health Unit, the Financial and Engineering Auditing Unit, PREA, and the Office of Policy Compliance. His main objective was focusing on improving management and strategy.[6]

Assistant Deputy County Executive for Suffolk County

[edit]

Toulon served as the Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety from September 2012 to July 2014 under the administration of County Executive Steve Bellone. From this position, he oversaw 10,000 employees and an operating budget of $2.5 billion. the Suffolk County Police Department, Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, the Probation Department, the Medical Examiner's Office, and the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.[7]

Suffolk County Sheriff

[edit]

With over 300,000 votes cast, Toulon was elected with 49.56% of the vote in 2017 in his bid for Suffolk County Sheriff, defeating challenger Larry Zacarese.[8] On January 12, 2018, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. was sworn into office by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.[2] He became the first African American elected to any nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.[1][9] As Sheriff, Toulon has focused on combating gangs and the opioid epidemic, implementing programs to fight recidivism, and providing access to community programs for Suffolk County residents.[10]

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has started a program that tries to fill the needs of older men jailed at the county correctional facility. The Senior Rehabilitation Pod Program is believed to be the first in the nation to segregate male inmates 50 and older from younger inmates to better concentrate on services more suited to the older inmates' needs. The program offers a wide range of services — everything from 12-step programs to employment counseling to mental health services — dedicated to improving the quality of older inmates’ lives while they are in jail and when they are released.[11]

In April 2018, Toulon started a new chaplaincy program to assist in times of need for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Staff.  The 10 Chaplains, from various religious faiths were sworn in at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.[12] According to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office,[13] the purpose of the Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Program is to provide interfaith emotional and spiritual counsel to Sheriff’s Office employees and their families during times of need and heightened stress.

In February 2020, Toulon launched the Sheriff's Transition and Reentry Team (S.T.A.R.T.) Resource Center. Located on the grounds of the Yaphank Correctional Center, the START Resource Center provides assistance to current and former inmates as they transition back into the community, whether they were incarcerated in Suffolk County or are returning to Suffolk after incarceration upstate or in another state.[14] This assistance comes in the form of employment assistance, help finding housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, clothing, and food. The START Center is staffed by five correction officers (three of which are correction counselors and two are Community Correction Officers[15]). Satellite locations of the Center were opened in Wyandanch and Port Jefferson[16] to help better meet the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals who have transportation problems. Since its inception, the START Center has assisted more than 500 inmates and boasts that former inmates who work with the Center have a 12% recidivism rate as opposed to the national average of 30%.[17]

On April 26, 2023, Toulon launched the Corrections Intelligence Center on the grounds of the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank. According to Toulon, this center is the first-of-its-kind jail intelligence network that shares data, trends, best practices, and potential threats across jails and prisons.[18] The Corrections Intelligence Center is fully staffed with specially trained Corrections Intelligence Officers from participating agencies including New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, New York City Department of Correction, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Westchester Department of Corrections and Morris County (NJ) Sheriff’s Office. The center also includes remote participation from 20 additional counties in the regional area that are participating in bi-weekly roundtables in addition to receiving immediate alerts to potential threats and trends.[19] Sheriff Toulon also announced plans to expand the CIC to national and international partners.[20]

Personal life

[edit]

Toulon is a three-time cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1996 and with pancreatic cancer in 2003.[2] His first wife, Susan, died after 29 years of marriage. They had two children. He remarried in 2016.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Brand, Rick. "Toulon sworn in as Suffolk sheriff". Newsday. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
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  5. ^ "History made: Toulon sworn in as Suffolk Sheriff". TBR NEWSMEDIA.
  6. ^ Toulon, Jr., Errol (2020). Errol David Toulon, Jr. Ed.D. Curriculum Vitae. p. 2.
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  10. ^ Staff, T. B. R. (2019-01-15). "Suffolk County program aims to decrease jail recidivism | TBR News Media". Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  11. ^ "LI Correctional Facility Carves Out A Separate Space for Older Inmates". Newsday.
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