Designates security services officers of the University of Rochester as peace officers

BILL NUMBER:S6249B

Title of bill

An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to granting peace officer status to certain security services officers employed by the University of Rochester

Purpose of the bill

To grant certain university of Rochester security services officers with peace officer powers subject to certain conditions.

Summary of specific provisions

Sections 1 of the bill would amend the Criminal Procedure Law to authorize the Board of Trustees of the University of Rochester to designate as peace officers those security services officers who shall satisfy the peace officer training requirements and a course of instruction in public and private law enforcement. Designated peace officers would be required to abide by requirements mutually agreed upon between the chief law enforcement officer of the applicable local law enforcement jurisdiction. The bill would provide that the peace officers would be limited to use such powers on property owned, controlled or administered by the University of Rochester and on a highway which crosses or adjoins such University property when requested by the applicable chief law enforcement officer, or beyond University property when in close pursuit after witnessing an offense or crime or when transporting a person in custody following an arrest. The bill would provide the applicable municipalities with legal defense and indemnification and hold them harmless for claims arising from the conduct of such peace officers when carrying out their peace officer functions.

Existing law

Criminal Procedure Law 2.10 authorizes an enumerated list of government and non-government entities which may designate peace officers.

Justification

This bill would help improve public safety for the thousands of students, faculty, staff and visitors to the many educational institutions on the University of Rochester campus, including the University of Rochester Medical Center, Security officers designated as peace officers would be granted additional arrest and investigative powers, and newly enhanced connections with local law enforcement. Such peace officers would be subject to requirements mutually agreed upon between the University and the appropriate local law enforcement jurisdiction and would have to complete the current minimum of 332 hours of additional training and a course in public and private law enforcement.

College security officers have previously been granted peace officer status at all community colleges, the City University of New York, Cornell University, Ithaca college and Syracuse University.

Budget implications

None.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This bill shall take effect immediately after it shall have become a law.