SUNY Canton Trains New Contingent of Peace Officers

SUNY Canton’s newest training program helped six former corrections officers transition into careers as peace officers, including two siblings who attended the course together.

Working with the St. Lawrence and Franklin County Sheriff’s Offices, Academy Director Joseph Brown oversaw the training during its inaugural implementation at SUNY Canton.

“We ran a six-week Peace Officer Course at the request of the Sheriff’s Office,” Brown said. "Five of the graduates were classified as special patrol officers who provide security service for the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services. A deputy from Franklin County went on to become a School Resource Officer.”

Brown noted that the training differs from a traditional police academy because it attracts individuals who have retired from their careers in corrections and share a common background in law enforcement. Two brothers found themselves in the same class for the first time. Jeffrey and Steven Forsythe of Gouverneur both shared a common background in corrections, military service with the Army, and even a family history of police service. 

“Our grandfather was a game warden,” Steven said. “Our father was a state trooper, both of us were in corrections, and we wanted to keep the law enforcement side of it rolling.”

They noted that their father passed away before they found out they would be attending the academy. “I think Dad would be proud of us,” Steven said. 

Because the brothers worked in corrections for their entire careers, they were both specifically interested in how the curriculum focused on community-based policing practices, which differ from corrections.

“We were working in a different environment,” Jeffrey said. “We had to think a certain way. In this environment, you have to build a rapport with people and be a little more empathetic.”

Steven added that their ability to adapt to the new career was a direct result of their time in the academy. “I learned from Director Brown how to talk to people,” Steven added. “In this position, you’re helping people. Some people really need help.” 

The brothers work part-time at Canton’s Social Services Administration Building alongside several officers who graduated with them. Some of their responsibilities include monitoring the building's security and screening incoming clients or guests. 

SUNY Canton’s Peace Officer training was offered through the college’s Law Enforcement Academy. It consists of four weeks of hands-on classroom training followed by a week of firearms instruction.