LAPLACE — By choice, Troy Cassioppi recently spent nearly an entire day at St. John Parish jail.

He did so to learn as much as possible about the duties of a correctional officer and shift supervisor and the requirements behind transportation, medical and jail programs.

The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office lieutenant works in human resources and helps the department hire new personnel. To help fill jail employment positions, Cassioppi needed to know more about the required duties.

The committed approach resonated with Captain Gordon Jeffcoat, who nominated Cassioppi for Officer of the Month.

“At the end of the day, he stated he had much more of an understanding and respect for what we do at Corrections,” Jeffcoat said. “Lt. Cassioppi is dedicated to finding the best person possible for the job. He explains the job in detail of what to expect and also how we run a very tight ship here.”

Since being transferred from the patrol division to human resources a year ago, Cassioppi has worked to process hundreds of applications for employment, chosen the most qualified of those applicants and coordinated the selection in an effort to ensure the best possible personnel.

Cassioppi has established partnerships with all departments in the hiring process, making sure everyone communicates about expectations. Cassioppi works especially close with jail commanders, for whom, finding and keeping jail employees is a challenge.

His efforts were recognized Wednesday, when the St. John Business Association named Cassioppi Officer of the Month during the group’s monthly meeting at Petra Restaurant & Lounge in LaPlace.