§ 7.25 Safety.

(a) The commissioner and the directors of in-patient facilities in the
office of mental health may designate safety officers to act as special
police officers whose duty it shall be, under orders of the appropriate
officer, to preserve peace and good order in facilities of such office
and to fully protect the grounds, buildings, and patients. Such safety
officers acting as special police officers shall possess all the powers
of peace officers, as set forth in section 2.20 of the criminal
procedure law, while performing duties in or arising out of the course
of their employment. Such peace officers when acting pursuant to their
special duties may issue and serve a simplified traffic information and
appearance ticket, in the form prescribed by the commissioner of motor
vehicles pursuant to section two hundred seven of the vehicle and
traffic law, upon a person when he or she has reasonable cause to
believe that such person has committed a traffic infraction in his or
her presence, and shall have the power to issue and serve an appearance
ticket as defined in section 150.10 of the criminal procedure law for an
offense other than a felony in lieu of an arrest.

(b) The commissioner shall cause to be developed and implemented a
comprehensive training program for such safety officers. Such a program
is to be provided to persons hired as safety officers within five weeks
after such hiring, and shall include, but need not be limited to
training in the following areas:

1. fire prevention;

2. basic criminal law;

3. first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation;

4. conducting investigations;

5. rudimentary police work, including issuance of summons, traffic
control, and lawful use of force;

6. proper use of restraint; and

7. any other training deemed necessary to augment such person's skills
in providing necessary safety and security services for the facility.