Westchester County added 32 new correction officers this week after the recruits completed training and graduated Tuesday, July 21, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

The new officers will serve at the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, which houses individuals arrested by police departments throughout the county, including Bronxville, Scarsdale and Eastchester.

"Correction officers play a vital role in the rehabilitation process," Commissioner of Correction Joseph K. Spano told graduates during the ceremony, while acknowledging the challenges of working in a fast-paced correctional environment.

Of the 32 graduates, 10 previously worked at other New York state correctional facilities and completed a six-week condensed academy with state approval. The remaining 22 recruits completed the department's full training program, which includes instruction in de-escalation, crisis intervention, use of force, active shooter response, mental health awareness and scenario-based exercises.

Captain Patti Bhola, commander of the department's Training Academy, highlighted the expanded curriculum during the ceremony. Training Unit Sergeants Paul Lindert and Austin Cardany also recognized graduates for outstanding achievement.

County Executive Ken Jenkins, Deputy Commissioner Michael B. Gerald, and County Legislator David Tubiolo, chairman of the Legislature's Public Safety Committee, joined the ceremony and addressed the new officers.

The graduation ceremony included an invocation, a presentation of colors by the department's Honor Guard, and performances by the Westchester County Emerald Society bagpipers and drummers.