Court Security Instructors
Thomas F. Lorito
Tom started his career as a Court Officer in Nassau County, New York in 1975. In 1984 he was appointed the first Chief Court Officer in Suffolk County, New York. As Chief his duties and responsibilities included being the primary advisor to the District Administrative Judge on security related issues, commanding all sworn personnel, overseeing all training, developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures, reviewing all building plans relative to security issues, approving all personnel transactions, responding to judicial threats and serving as Incident Commander for incidents in court facilities.
During his 18 year tenure as Chief his command grew from slightly more than 100 to over 300 officers, magnetometers and x-ray machines were installed in all court facilities, three major court construction projects were completed, judicial threat protocols were developed, Standard Operating Procedures for all court security operations were developed and implemented and a formal in-service training program was developed. In addition Tom served as an adjunct member of the faculty for the New York State Court Officer’s Academy, served on numerous promotional exam development committees, was a member of the Suffolk County Joint Terrorism Task Force and Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and was one of the authors of the first statewide Court Officer Rules and Procedures Manual.
In 2002 Tom was appointed the District Executive for the 10th Judicial District, Suffolk County and held this position until his retirement from the New York State Courts in November 2010. As District Executive he was the highest ranking non-judicial official in the District and was the primary advisor to the District Administrative Judge on all court operation issues and oversaw all court operations including security. During his tenure the district had approximately 75 judges, over 1000 non-judicial employees, twelve court locations and an annual budget of more than $90 million.
He is a Senior Consultant and Instructor with the National Sheriffs’ Association and a member of NSA’s Court Security Training and Assessment Team; Court Security, Transportation of Prisoners & Civil Process Committee; Education & Awards Committee; and Court and Judicial Security Advisory Board. He is also on the Community Safety Institute’s staff of consultants. Tom was a member of the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management and its Advisory Board and Professional Development Committee, and was also a member of the National Association for Court Management. He is a Past-President of The Chiefs of Police Association of Suffolk County and the International Association of Court Officers and Services.
As an Instructor for the NSA he has been conducting court security training for over 20 years. This has included on-site programs throughout the country and at NSA Annual Conferences and webinars. In his role as a Senior Consultant he has assessed court security operations and staffing and served as an advisor on court construction projects. He has written articles regarding court security which have been published in NSA publications and “The Beacon” a publication of the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management.
His educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts, a Master’s Degree from Long Island University, C. W. Post Campus and attending numerous professional development courses conducted by organizations such as the Unified Court System of the State of New York, U.S. Marshals’ Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York City Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department and Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. Tom also attained the rank of Major in the U. S. Army Reserve Military Police Corps.
Outside of his professional life Tom has also been active in his community. He served as President of the Water Mill Community and oversaw the organization’s youth soccer program and has coached youth soccer, baseball and basketball teams. He is currently a volunteer official with the Long Island Golf Association and serves on its Executive Committee.
Edward “Jim” Ludolph
Jim started his career with the Peoria County, Illinois Sheriff’s Office in 1985 as a Civil Process Officer, advanced to correctional officer, was promoted from officer to Sergeant, then Deputy Correctional Superintendent at the Peoria County Correctional Facility. In 1991 he was appointed as Court Security Civil Process Administrator, assuming the duties as the Sheriff’s liaison and was responsible for all security operations at the Peoria County Courthouse.
In addition to the security of the courthouse and the surrounding block his responsibilities included personnel selection, supervision, budgeting, strategic planning, public relations, developing safety training for courthouse employees, and presenting training seminars on workplace violence, employee response to hostage situations, and new employee orientation for all Peoria County employees.
During his twenty-two years at the Peoria County Courthouse physical security was increased, service to the public was recognized by the Judiciary and his leadership brought staff recognition in the forms of many letters of appreciation from the public, employees, legal community, and members of the County Board. Camera surveillance was tripled, video storage moved from VHS tape to digital recording, and was moving to IP computer storage at the time of his retirement. Civil Process was computerized; resulting in the updating, via computer, of all civil process served by the officers while in their units and providing computer access by customers for tracking of their papers.
Jim continued to study throughout his career, majoring in Management at the University of Illinois Springfield and accumulating over thirteen hundred hours of additional training in security, management, and motivation of staff.
He is a Senior Consultant and Instructor with the National Sheriffs’ Association and a member of NSA’s Court Security Training and Assessment Team; Court Security, Transportation of Prisoners & Civil Process Committee; and Education & Awards Committee. He was a charter member and served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Court Officers and Services. As an instructor for the NSA he has been conducting court security training and audits since 2003. This has included on-site programs throughout the country and at NSA Annual Conferences.
Jim’s involvement within his community throughout his life includes holding office in the Kiwanis Club, Peoria County Association of Chiefs of Police, Peoria County Sheriff’s Posse, and membership in ASIS, the American Jail Association, and Life member of the National Sheriffs’ Association. In retirement Jim continues to serve his church and community.
