Our History

Late in the year of 1971 in anticipation of civil service status, the staff from the departments Patrol, Civil and Corrections divisions gathered to form a collective bargaining unit to provide representation and benefit to employees, this action resulted in the founding of the Rockland County Sheriff’s Deputies Association, which was eventually recognized as the official labor relations unit for all sworn sheriff’s department personnel.

Several Lean years followed as officers of the association strived to bring the fledgling organization on par with local Police labor units. The Fraternal Order of Police provided legal representation for contractual negotiations and small gains were realized. The negotiation process soon revealed that one unit comprised of three divisions all having vastly different employment descriptions and requirements could not successfully negotiate a contract that would satisfy the need of all members. It was mutually agreed that the corrections division would decertify from the association and form their own unit that could more effectively address the correctional needs.

Civil service status for all Sheriff’s department personnel was legislated in 1973 and immediately thereafter the Rockland County Sheriff’s Deputies association petitioned for acceptance as Police Officers into the Rockland County Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, the alliance was completed thus beginning a new era in the associations history. A plaque containing the names of the Rockland County Sheriff’s Deputies Association’s executive officers through the years has been placed upon the wall in the Patrol division’s spaces.