Senate Bill S5794

                                BILL NUMBER:S5794

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to granting peace
officer status to public safety officers of Co-op City in Bronx county

PURPOSE:

To codify the peace officer status of public safety officers
at Co-op City

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This bill codifies the status of public safety
officers serving at Co-op City in the Bronx by designating them as
peace officers defined in Section 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law.

JUSTIFICATION:

The population and land area occupied by "Co-op City"
in Bronx County is the largest single housing project or complex in
the State. In Fact, if one complex was an actual incorporated city of
the State, it would become, based on the 2010 census, the sixth
largest city by population in the State.

              

The Public Safety Department for Co-op City currently employs 105
public safety officers who same at no cost to the taxpayers and they
actively supplement and assist the Police Department for NYC in
Providing law enforcement services to the complex. They are paid from
a monthly assessment on the residents owning apartments in the
complex. Their designation as peace officers will render the Public
Safety Department for Co-op City eligible for grants and other funds
from the state and federal governments. Their designation as peace
officers will not materially alter or increase any of their current
enforcement authority under Section 14-106 of the New York
Administrative Code. Their designation as peace officers will not be
deemed to supersede in any way the authority of NYPD to act under
the authority of law.

It is significant to note that public safety officers currently
carrying firearms while performing :heir special duties at the
housing complex, are not permitted, under the rules of the Co-op City
Public Safety Department, to posses them during their non-duty hours
away from the housing complex. Further, the Public Safety Department
requires all of its firearms bearing officers to obtain licensure
from NYPD in order to possess a firearm while on duty.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Similar bills. A9077, Benedetto was introduced in
2009-10 and A10547, Benedetto was introduced in 2012

FISCAL IMPACT:

None to state or NYC


EFFECTIVE DATE:

First of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become
law.