Expands the geographical area of employment of university police officers

5 Co-sponsors

• Eric Adams
• Neil D. Breslin
• Jeffrey D. Klein
• George D. Maziarz
• Antoine M. Thompson

BILL NUMBER:S4302 REVISED 06/21/10

Title of bill

An act to amend the criminal procedure law and the education law, in relation to expanding the geographical area of employment of university police officers; and to repeal paragraph (d) of subdivision 34-a of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law relating thereto

Purpose

To extend the jurisdiction, as it pertains to infractions and violations, of New York State University Police Officers from State University of New York property and abutting roadways to all areas of New York State.

Summary of provisions

The legislation repeals paragraph "d" of Subdivision 34-a of Section 1.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which states, "The geographical area of employment of a police officer appointed by the state university is the campuses and other property of the state university, including any portion of public highway which crosses or abuts such property."

This legislation would also repeal paragraph "1." Of Subdivision 8(9} of Section 355 of the Education Law, which states, "It shall be the duty of such police officers to preserve law and order on the campuses and other property of the university, including any portion of a public highway which crosses or abuts such property."

Justification

University Police is the only Agency Law Enforcement Services Unit, which includes the University Police, New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the New York State Forest Rangers, and the New York State Park Police, that does not have the power to enforce infractions and violations outside of their geographic area of employment.

The New York State University Police are requesting this legislation as a measure to legitimize and augment their ability to lend supplemental support to neighboring law enforcement agencies. This legislation would also enable New York State University Police to provide immediate police action and protect life and property in rare occasions where assistance is requested by citizens of surrounding areas.

Finally, many New York universities and colleges are growing. The need for additional space to accommodate this growth has resulted in the acquisition of satellite properties not geographically connected to campus centers. Under current law, while traveling between these properties, NYS University police Officers are statutorily limited and must ignore all violations and infractions occurring in their presence.

Legislative history

2007-2008: S.7977/A.11205

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.