Captain Ricky Jogie: Almost 30 Years in an “Amazing Career”

“I did not grow up saying I wanted to be a corrections officer, but in hindsight it is the best thing that has happened to me.”

These were the words of encouragement from Trinidad-born Captain Ricky Jogie for youngsters who might want to consider joining the New York Corrections Department (NYCD).

Captain Jogie, who is in his 29th year with the department, has had a fulfilling career, and as he nears his retirement, he can safely look back and say he made the right choice as a young man.

However, it was not always a ‘piece of cake’. “It was hard at times, but yet I made it easy because I did the best I could and I was recognized for doing the best,” Jogie, who has been a captain for 16 years now, told The West Indian in an interview recently.

Originally from Felicity in Trinidad and Tobago, Captain Jogie migrated to the United States with his family at age 16. He attended the Far Rockaway High School and went on to study at Hunter College. He later moved to John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

“After graduation I took a bunch of city tests,” the captain recalled. He eventually got accepted in the Corrections Department Academy. Shortly after that he got an offer from the New York Police Police Department (NYPD), but since he was already comfortable in the Corrections Department, he declined the offer to join the NYPD.

“I stayed with Corrections and I am happy I did,” Captain Jogie said. He eventually became the valedictorian for his his class.

One of the highlights of his career, was the founding of the Desi Society of the NYCD, the first fraternal organization to represent persons on South Asian background in the department. The captain likes to help others and to share his knowledge, and that prompted him to push for the formation of the Desi Society, which has so far helped many young officers elevate themselves.

The Desi Society, which was officially launched in October last year, does not only focus on officers within the department, but it also has the community at heart. It has spearheaded two recruitment drives so far in the community, and according to Jogie, it is planning a third for the Richmond Hill area soon.

Describing it as an “amazing career”, the captain says becoming a corrections officer is “an opportunity to provide a good livelihood for your family, to live in a good neighborhood and to be respected also. The benefits are enormous.”

“Take the test. There is no age limit. No retirement age also,” he urged.

Captain Jogie, a father of three, said through this career, he has been able to provide a comfortable life for his family — his wife and three children — who have, in turn, been supportive of him through the years.

Now that he is almost nearing retirement, what are the captain’s plans for the future?
“I am about to retire now. Two more years and I’ll make 30. After I hit 30 years I’ll take one year at a time. Focus more on family and the community and helping out in whatever I can,” he said.

We thank Captain Ricky Jogie for his service to the community and we wish him well in the years ahead.