'Officer Correct'
coloring book,
button shield
and jacket

AMK waves bye
Junior Correction Officer button shields -- a little less than 2 inches in diameter -- were distributed with the coloring books and ID cards.
coloring book color cover
Click on above image to access original size color cover
(8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be
saved and/or printed on color printer. (365Kb)


In 1987, the Correction Training Academy, then as now at 66-26 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, Queens County, published the Getting to Know Your New York City Department of Correction coloring book as part of a community outreach public safety and crime prevention campaign.

The central figure in the campaign was the ever-smiling "Officer Correct," conceived and drawn by talented artist Correction Officer James Vann, now retired and residing in Florida.


Then CO James Vann, at his DOC desk, beneath a wall cutout placard of Officer Correct.

Vann continues to paint and draw and is with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office as a Community Service Officer assigned to the Orient Street Jail in the Tampa region.

The outreach program, carried out under the direct supervision of Joseph M. Ramos, then Deputy Commissioner of Training, Recruitment and Community Affairs, included distribution of the coloring books and Junior Correction Officer button shields and ID cards in schools as well as community affairs COs addressing students in classrooms and assemblies.


Then CO James Vann, left, and Deputy Commissioner Joseph M. Ramos display an "Officer Correct jacket" at a small private reception that the DOC Recruitment Team held for Jimmy upon his retirement.


Jimmy Vann has retired only from DOC, not from art. See for yourself. Visit his Jimmy Vann Art web site

The NYC Department of Correction reserves and retains all rights to texts and images
in its publication, the Getting to Know Your New York City Department of Correction coloring book, and in its "Training Academy Junior Correction Officer" button shield, and to the image/logo/icon known as "Officer Correct" and that name.

Messages from then DOC Commissioner Richard J. Koehler and NYC Schools Chancellor Nathan Quinones appeared with their photo portraits on Page 2 (the inside of the front cover) of the coloring book. The texts appear on this web page. Click on above image to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (99Kb)

[NYCHS is indebted to James Vann for making available the materials from which the above images were scanned. The materials included a 1987 "first edition" copy of the coloring book from which the text and images below were scaned.]

Getting to Know Your
New York City
Department of Correction

A MESSAGE FROM ...

Richard J. Koehler,
Commissioner,
New York City
Department of Correction
April 1, 1987

Greetings:

In an effort to inform and alert our city's youth to basic safety precautions, your New York City Department of Correction is offering this coloring book as an enjoyable way of communicating its safety message.

In the early years, our young learn best through the influence and guidance of their parents, family, teachers and their environment.

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 3 to access original size copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (73Kb)

Young minds, however, must be reminded of safety procedures until they learn to employ them instinctively when challenged and during threatening situations.

We would like you to explore the contents of our book with your children, family and friends and explain to them any points they may not understand.

The Department of Correction understands and shares the concerns that our community has for their children and stands ready to help in their education, safety and well-being.

We know that children are, by nature, friendly and trusting but at the same time are very inquisitive.

We ask for your support and cooperation in fostering those basic safety habits throughout their growing years and at the same time learn that we too are here to help.


Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 4 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (69Kb)

A MESSAGE
FROM ...

Nathan Quinones,
Chancellor,
New York City
Board of Education
April, 1987

Greetings:

It was a great pleasure to review the contents of this innovative, educational coloring book.

Your agency has succeeded in creating an effective learning tool that both parents and teachers can use with young children.

The safety messages contained in the book are clear, appropriate and will be reinforced each time a child colors a picture,

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 5 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (58Kb)

I look forward to the coloring book's wide distribution throughout the school system.

It will be an important asset as we strive to improve the safety of the children of New York City.


[BOTTOM
OF PAGE
PUBLICATION
NOTICE]

Edward 1. Koch,
Mayor,
City of New York

Richard J. Koehler,
Commissioner,
Department of Correction


Nathan Quinones,
Chancellor,
Board of Education

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 6 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (61Kb)
Joseph M. Ramos,
Deputy Commissioner of Training, Recruitment, Community Affairs

Graphics and Illustration:
James Vann,
Correction Officer

Getting to Know Your ... New York City Department of Correction is an official publication of the New York City Department of Correction Training Academy.

This coloring book is designed to provide timely and factual information on safety, prevention before detention, and neighborhood awareness against crime.

For more information call: New York City Department of Correction, 66-26 Metropolitan Ave., Queens, N.Y. 11379 - 718-417-xxxx [original last 4 digits in phone number no longer valid].


[Page 19 -- the inside of the back cover -- contained a 29-questions checklist for parents and children to use in taking safety and crime prevention precuations.]

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 7 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (68Kb)

Parents and Children Involvement in Prevention, Protection and Personal Safety Checklist

Now that you have learned about the Department of Correction, the Correction Officer's responsibilities, and the importance of prevention, Officer Correct would like you to conduct your own tour and security protection checklist of your home with your parents.

While your family is inspecting your home, this survey will help pinpoint new ways you and your family can improve personal safety at home.

1. Are the locks on your most used outside doors of the cylinder type?

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 8 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (41Kb)

Yes _____

No _____


2. Are they of either the deadlocking or jimmy-proof type?

Yes _____

No _____


3. Do you use chain locks or other auxiliary locks on most used doors?

Yes _____

No _____


4. Do the doors without cylinder locks have a heavy bolt or some similar secure device that can be operated only from the inside?

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 9 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (77Kb)

Yes _____

No _____


5. Can all of your doors (basement, porch, balcony) be securely locked?

Yes _____

No _____


6. Do your basement doors have locks that allow you to isolate that part of your house?

Yes _____

No _____



7. Are your locks all in good repair?

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 10 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (63Kb)

Yes _____

No _____


8. Do you know everyone who has a key to your house?

Yes _____

No _____


9. Are your window locks properly and securely mounted?

Yes _____

No _____


10. Do you keep your windows locked when they are shut?

Yes _____

No _____


Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 11 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (62Kb)
11. Do you use locks that allow you to lock a window that is partly open?

Yes _____

No _____


12. In high hazard locations, do you use bars or ornamental grille?

Yes _____

No _____


13. Are you as careful of basement and second floor windows as you are of those on the first floor?

Yes _____

No _____


14. Do you lock your garage door at night?

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 12 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (80Kb)

Yes _____

No _____


15. Do you lock your garage when you are away from home?

Yes _____

No _____


16. Do you have good, secure locks on the garage doors and windows?

Yes _____

No _____


17. Do you lock your car and take the keys out even when it is parked in your garage?

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 13 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (180Kb)

Yes _____

No _____


18. Do you stop all deliveries or arrange for neighbors to pick up papers, milk, mail, packages?

Yes _____

No _____


19. Do you notify a neighbor or family member?

Yes _____

No _____



20. Do you notify your police?

They provide extra protection for vacant homes.

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 14 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (87Kb)

Yes _____

No _____


21. Do you leave some shades up so the house doesn't look deserted?

Yes _____

No _____


22. Do you plan so that you do not need to "hide" a key under the door mat?

Yes _____

No _____


23. Do you keep as much cash as possible and other valuables in a bank?

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 15 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (54Kb)

Yes _____

No _____


24. Do you keep a list of all valuable property?

Yes _____

No _____


25. Do you have a list of the serial numbers of your watches, cameras, typewriters and similar items?

Yes _____

No _____



26. Do you have a description of other valuable property that does not have a number?

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 16 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (63Kb)

Yes _____

No _____


27. Do you avoid unnecessary display or publicity of your valuables?

Yes _____

No _____


28. Have you told your family what to do if they discover a burglar breaking in or already in the house?

Yes _____

No _____


29. Have you told your family to leave the house undisturbed and call the police if they discover a burglary has been committed?

Yes _____ xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxNo _____


Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 17 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (65Kb)

Click on above image from the coloring book's Page 18 to access original size page copy (8.5x11) in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format that can be saved and/or printed. (65Kb)

For PDF of checklist (103 Kb), click here: Checklist PDF

Shadows, errant spots and other marks that surfaced in the scans
have been removed from the book page images above and from their linked PDF versions.
For an "as scanned" copy of the 20-page booklet in grayscale -- 6.6 Mbs -- click here: Rough scan full copy.

The New York City Department of Correction reserves and retains all rights to the texts and images
in its publication, the Getting to Know Your New York City Department of Correction coloring book,
and in its "Training Academy Junior Correction Officer" button shield,
and to the image/logo/icon known as "Officer Correct" and that name.
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