Oneida County Wins Temporary Restraining Order Against…

Oneida County Wins Temporary Restraining Order Against Governor’s Executive Order

Sheriff’s Office Hiring Separated Correction Officers

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that Oneida County was successful in receiving a temporary restraining order in New York State Supreme Couty against Governor Hochul’s executive order restricting the hiring of separated corrections officers.

“This ruling is a victory for Oneida County and for the dedicated men and women who have served as correction officers and deserve the opportunity to continue their careers in public service,” Picente said. “The Governor’s executive order was an unjust overreach that not only harmed these individuals but also jeopardized the safety and operations of our Sheriff’s Office. We will continue to fight to ensure that this temporary order becomes permanent, and that Oneida County retains the ability to hire qualified personnel to serve our community.”

State Supreme Court Justice Ryba ruled on April 1, 2025 that Oneida County successfully showed irreparable harm in not being able to hire the separated officers to fill several vacancies in its Sheriff’s Office and other departments, and that the county demonstrated a likelihood of succeeding on the ultimate merits of it lawsuit. The order only pertains to Oneida County and not statewide.

“This decision is a crucial step toward ensuring that we can fill critical vacancies in our Sheriff’s Office with experienced, well-trained correction officers,” said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol. “The Governor’s executive order unfairly targeted these professionals, preventing them from continuing to serve their communities. Public safety is our top priority, and this ruling allows us to strengthen our workforce and better protect the residents of Oneida County.”

The Sheriff’s Office has already hired three separated officers who will begin on April 3, 2025, with several more to be processed in the coming weeks.

Oneida County filed the request for injunction on March 19, 2025 in response to Executive Order 47.3 which was issued on March 10th banning 2,000 separated NYS correction officer from seeking employment in any government job at any level.

Oneida County returns to court on May 2, 2025 to make the restraining order permanent, which would prevent any possibility of the order being renewed in Oneida County.