September 15, 2026 — PEF parole officers across the state supervise people who are serving out the remainder of their sentences in the community. They perform social work and program assistance with formerly incarcerated individuals to help keep them on a positive trajectory as they detach from the correctional system.
But sometimes things do not go as planned, and a parole officer must respond to a violent crime that results in injuries. When that happens, they are often without the tools they need to perform life-saving aid either on those they serve, or in some cases, themselves.
“We often have to encounter individuals who are engaged in criminal activity, whether it is in their homes or in public places,” said Senior Parole Officer Cosmo Pellegrino.
That’s why Pellegrino and his fellow officers advocated for further medical assistance and training, and when he brought up the idea with PEF Region 6 Coordinator Chris Dunham, Dunham took action.
“When Cosmo informed me that the State of New York was not adequately equipping its parole officers with sufficient medical supplies for injuries that can and will happen in their line of work, I was shocked to say the least,” said Dunham. “Something had to be done to protect our parole officers.”
Dunham tapped the Region 6 health and safety budget to purchase medical supplies used to create a “tac-pack” for parole officers. Tac packs are small portable kits that hold things like tourniquets, field dressing, gloves, and other supplies. The name refers to the fact that they can be deployed “tactically” during an emergency.
“Every cost-effective avenue was considered without compromising quality and durability for field use,” said Dunham.
Dunham and Pellegrino introduced the tac-packs to grateful parole officers at their monthly meeting on August 21.
The next step is to ensure that each parole officer knows exactly how to use what is inside. Although officers receive in-service training on some basic first-aid, Pellegrino said additional training is crucial.
“We already receive Officer Safety and Survival Training. There is a very short module on how to properly apply a tourniquet and utilize combat gauze,” said Pellegrino. “Chris and I have plans to reach out to a program at Oneida County called Stop the Bleed where certified instructors come and teach you how to utilize all the gear in the bag.”
Both Dunham and Pellegrino are certain that this is only the beginning for parole officers in Region 6 and across the state.
“It is our hope that this ultimately kickstarts an initiative where every parole officer across New York State will receive this equipment and training,” said Dunham. “They all deserve to be similarly equipped so that they can save a life or, God forbid, their own.”