NYC buildings commissioner wants inspectors to make arrests, carry guns

The head of New York City’s buildings department wants to grant inspectors the power to make arrests and even carry guns following complaints from agency staffers who say they’ve been attacked on the job, according to an email obtained by Gothamist.

Department of Buildings Commissioner James Oddo is pushing for state legislation that would allow the agency to designate inspectors and other employees as “peace officers,” a civil service title that would give them certain law enforcement capabilities.

In an email to staff on Tuesday, Oddo provided an update on a bill introduced last month by state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, a Staten Island Democrat, that could allow inspectors to “make arrests, use physical force in the course of fulfilling their duties, and carry firearms provided they have the appropriate license.” Oddo said he called Scarcella-Spanton and she agreed to introduce the measure, according to the email shared with Gothamist.

Scarcella-Spanton said her bill would allow inspectors to “protect themselves should a harrowing situation arise.”

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