For Immediate Release: 8/28/2017

Justin Mason | justin.mason@dcjs.ny.gov

Press Office, Division of Criminal Justice Services | (518) 457-8828 | (518) 275-5508

New York State Recognizes Probation Officer for Service and Dedication

Supervisor with 25 years’ experience recognized for advocacy and commitment to victims
Award presented during annual American Probation and Parole Association training conference

New York State today recognized Westchester County Supervising Probation Officer Suzanne Schatzle for her outstanding work to help victims of domestic violence and hold abusive offenders accountable. State Division of Criminal Justice Services Deputy Commissioner and Probation Director Robert M. Maccarone presented the 2017 Director’s Award for Outstanding Service by a Probation Officer to the 25-year veteran during the 42nd Annual Summer Institute of the American Probation and Parole Association Training Conference in New York City.

“There are many challenges in supervising individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes,” Director Maccarone said. “Holding these individuals accountable for their behavior and ensuring they receive appropriate supervision is essential to both victims and community safety at large. Suzanne’s work with victims is inspiring and no doubt instrumental in helping their healing process, while also creating positive change that extends into the community and the probation practice.”

Schatzle has extensive experience working with domestic violence cases and often takes an active role in court proceedings –helping victims navigate the process of filing for an order of protection or restitution or by recommending a term of incarceration for violent offenders in pre-sentencing investigations. Schatzle also reaches out to victims outside of court to help them better understand the criminal justice process or to ensure they’re aware of assistance available through other state agencies and local organizations.

Presented through DCJS’ Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, the annual award recognizes exceptional service, dedication and professionalism demonstrated by a probation officer that has significantly contributed to the field of community corrections. The award honors those who have strengthened Probation’s role within the criminal justice or juvenile justice system.

Schatzle’s award was presented during the first day of the conference, which drew thousands of probation and parole officers from around the nation. New York State was selected to host the four-day conference in part due to its effective criminal justice policy that has reduced both crime and the use of incarceration.

Probation officers work in each of New York State’s 62 counties, supervising more than 110,000 adults and juveniles annually. In addition to their supervisory and other responsibilities, probation officers confirm the addresses of nearly 5,000 sex offenders under supervision every quarter, and monitor 26,000 convicted drunk drivers, including those who are required to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles under Leandra’s Law.

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (www.criminaljustice.ny.gov) is a multi-function criminal justice support agency with a variety of responsibilities, including funding and oversight of probation and community correction programs; law enforcement training; collection and analysis of statewide crime data; maintenance of criminal history information and fingerprint files; administrative oversight of the states DNA databank, in partnership with the New York State Police; administration of federal and state criminal justice funds; support of criminal justice-related agencies across the state; and administration of the state’s Sex Offender Registry.