The long, blue line of students at the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center watched in awe as the powerful K-9 member, a German Shepherd named “Argus,” dutifully obeyed the commands of his handler, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Police Officer Doug Disciullo during a recent visit to the Career & Technical Center in Port Ewen. Officer Disciullo and Argus performed demonstrations as part of the instruction for the uniformed Ulster County high school students enrolled in the Ulster BOCES Criminal Justice program. 

According to the DEP, the K-9 Unit is a vital force of highly-trained officers and their K-9 partners stationed throughout New York State. Each team, comprised of a handler and their dog, has a geographic territory where they are responsible for the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the State's fish, wildlife, and environment. In addition to these duties, the teams aid in locating poachers and hidden evidence, tracking lost people, and assisting other state agencies. The job requires commitment to the K-9 Unit, the ability to work with people, and good tactical judgment.

Through hands-on experiences such as this one, the Ulster BOCES Criminal Justice program offers students the opportunity to explore the history, structures, and processes of the Criminal Justice system, as well as investigate the fields of private security and fire safety. Students learn law enforcement concepts and techniques, as well as court and corrections procedures. This program places emphasis on the study of the New York State Penal Law, law enforcement today, the individual citizen and the law, and career exploration. Students participate in hands-on, practical skill instruction, including handcuffing, radio usage, fingerprinting, crime scene investigation, crime scene sketching, vehicle stops and searches, patrol, and forensics. Requirements include maintaining a Criminal Justice manual and wearing a prescribed blue uniform. The program provides foundational skills for private security, public security, and fire safety. Students also have the opportunity to attain the New York State Private Security Guard certificate, an eight-hour pre-employment training program. 

“Students are exposed to State, Federal, and local police careers,” explains Anthony Sciacca, Ulster BOCES Criminal Justice instructor. “Guest speakers and demonstrations, such as this one performed by Officer Disciullo and Argus, provide students with a realistic perspective regarding law enforcement.”

According to Sciacca, the dialogue between students and law enforcement officers is extremely beneficial to the curriculum and the learning process. “These experiences provide many different aspects of policing that helps students to decide on a career path. Moreover, practical skills (hands-on-learning) contribute to motivation, dedication, and determination towards success.”  

National statistics show that students who attend a career and technical

program perform better in college and are more likely to complete school and earn a degree.

“For students entering the workforce, they are better prepared with stronger academic and technical skills than those who do not have a career and technical education, which often leads to higher earning potential,” states Genna Suraci, principal of the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center.

The Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center offers students an education that is on the cutting edge of progress. The goal is to ensure that all students who attend the Career & Technical Center graduate with up-to-date skills in their chosen profession. A strong emphasis is placed on attainment of technical skills, employability skills, and academic skills. 

The New York State Education Department-approved programs offered at the Career & Technical Center allow integration of a Technical Communications Instruction (TCI) program, which infuses English language arts and math into the curricula, allowing for the possibility of earning college credits.

For more information on the Criminal Justice and other programs offered at the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center, call (845) 331-6680, or visit the website at www.ulsterboces.org.