Sheriff's Department Still Accepting Resumes For Undersheriff

Thomas Guthrie retired last summer as undersheriff after taking over the position more than 30 years ago, and the department is still searching for his replacement.

Thursday night, Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco said he is still accepting applications for the position, which acts as the number two in the Sheriff’s Department. The position pays $128,100, according to the county’s adopted 2013 personnel budget.

Falco said two candidates are South Nyack-Grand View Police Chief Robert Van Cura and Sheriff’s Department Chief Mary Barbera. He added that due to an increased work load in the department from when Gutherie started, it’s possible two people could take over. To go that route without any additional funding, the department would have to promote at least one of the people from within.

“We’d be funded for it because one person would already have a salary with the department, which would stay the same,” Falco said. “We’d be bringing in just one new person.”

But Falco noted the department is still looking for candidates. An ad on Craigslist says the department is accepting resumes and cover letters until Jan. 10.

According to the ad, the qualifications for the position are:

• A minimum of 60 credit hours in criminal justice, police science or comparable curriculum at a recognized institute of higher learning, with a Bachelor’s or advanced degree preferred.
• Fifteen years of law enforcement experience, including at least five in an investigative capacity and five in a supervisory capacity as a commissioned officer within a law enforcement agency and/or as an executive board member of a police labor union with a membership of at least 100.

The position also calls for experience in:

• prepping, monitoring and managing a budget
• collective bargaining
• inter-departmental government relations
• appearing, testifying and interacting with legislative committees.