In 1987, just two and one-half years after graduating from the State University of Fredonia, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, I found myself sitting down to take the written exam to become a New York State Court Officer. Before that point in time, I don’t think I even knew what a Court Officer was, not to mention having any desire to become one! But after three years of unsuccessfully looking for a teaching job, that’s where I found myself.
I served in that position from 1991 – 2005, and had the opportunity to, well, have lots of interesting experiences.
I took the written exam in 1987, but I wasn’t hired until 1991.
I completed my NYS Court Officers Academy in March of 1991, only to be laid off by the then NYS Governor Mario Cuomo, 6 months later.
As it turns out, the Court Officer Union struck a deal with the then Chief Judge of the NYS Court System, Sol Wachtler, to hire 110 new officers to protect the current officers from an impending layoff. Six months to the day after being hired and graduating from the academy, I was out of a job. Gotta love government!
My first assignment was the Manhattan Family Court. Although I was not assigned to her courtroom, I did occasionally spend time with the most famous judge on the planet, the honorable Judge Judy Scheinlin.
And yes, she was just like this in real life. This is NOT an act.
In 1992, I moved to the Nassau County District Court, where I served until 1997. Boy, the stories I could tell you about my experiences there! Let’s just say, the mid-90’s was a interesting time for crime. During this time period, we had the shooting of Mary Jo Buttafuoco on the front porch of her Massapequa home by former porn star, Amy Fisher, aka The Long Island Lolita.
We also saw the famous Joel Rifkin case. The man who murdered at least 9 women (some say up to 17), and dumped their bodies along Ocean Parkway. Isn’t he a prize!
And, last but not least, Colin Ferguson, the Long Island Gunman, who on December 7th, 1993, opened fire inside a LIRR commuter train, killing 6 and wounding 19. In fact, I have a photo clipping somewhere in the house of me and another officer taking him to the arraignment. When I dig that up, I’ll add it to this post.
This was the life of a court officer, my friends! All day, every day.
In 1997, I transferred to the Queens Supreme Criminal Court as a promotion to Senior Court Officer. In the Supreme Criminal courts, you are dealing with felons all day, every day. The worst our species has to offer. Drug dealers, murderers, arsonists, child abusers. No one you’d have over for Thanksgiving Dinner.
I once served on a drug dealer case during this time period, and the accused was a former female boxing contender. The trial was filmed by, I believe, by an NYU Film crew, and I’m in this documentary, but have no idea how to find it.
In 2000, I transferred to the Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola. It was here I would remain until I decided to resign in 2005. In the last 3 or so years before resigning, I served in the Matrimonial Division, where, ironically, I worked with Justice Anthony Falanga, who is in the video above, representing Colin Ferguson at his arraignment.
Imagine spending 3 + years, all day, every day, in divorce court? Scared Single!
Oh, BTW, what does a court officer do?
Well, the job description says:
- Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order and providing security in the court building and courtrooms. (TRUE)
What did most Court Officers I worked with actually do?
- Try to complete 3 crossword puzzles a day: The Daily News, The NY Post, and the smarter ones, The NY Times.
- Count off the days of the week and wish their work life to be over so they could retire and not come into the courthouse anymore.
It was a place no one wanted to be, and a job that not many people actually enjoyed. It was a paycheck and a pension. A means to an end.
Brett’s Bottom Line:
For me, it was not a job I was ultimately satisfied with. It’s hard to find meaning in searching through women’s pocketbooks.
I didn’t feel I was contributing to other people’s lives. It was work that I didn’t find meaningful. So I left. I resigned in 2005 to pursue a career in the fitness industry. An industry I knew very little about. But boy, would I learn a lot!
Not only did I learn a lot about fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle over the past 25 years, but I also learned about marketing, creating content, and speaking in front of live audiences. I learned how to coach and communicate.
Yes, I got up really early. Sometimes as early as 3:50 am. And yes, I would be out all day. Sometimes as much as 15 – 16 hours. And yes, I worked Saturdays and Holidays too. But I did it because I loved what I was doing. Helping other people who needed help becoming the best they could be.
“What a privilege to be tired from the work you once begged the universe for. What a privilege to feel overwhelmed by the growth you used to dream about. What a privilege to be challenged by a life you created on purpose.”
If you would like help becoming the best you can be, let’s talk. I’m here to help.