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History
- Substituted by A10116
- Ordered to third reading cal.1157
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to including members of the fire investigation unit in the city of Schenectady as peace officers
Vetoed · Sponsor George Amedore
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7241
Title of bill
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to including members of the fire investigation unit in the city of Schenectady as peace officers
Purpose
To improve the ability to investigate and solve arson crimes in the City of Schenectady.
Summary of provisions
Amends Subdivision 51 of Section 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law to allow officers and members of a fire investigation division of the City of Schenectady to be designated as peace officers.
Existing law
Section 2.10(51) of the Criminal Procedure Law currently designates officers and members of the fire investigation divisions of the cities of Rochester, Binghamton and Utica as peace officers. Subdivisions 28, 44 and 75 provide similar designation for the cities of New York and Buffalo. Subdivision 79 designates members of the arson investigation bureau and fire inspection bureau of the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control as peace officers.
Justification
The City of Schenectady has requested this legislation to help it combat the problem of arson. By allowing the City to designate certain fire personnel as peace officers, this legislation will enable Schenectady to utilize the expertise and skills of fire department investigators to address this dangerous crime.
Peace officer designation will provide these personnel with valuable powers that will greatly assist in the investigation of arson, such as the necessary legal authority to secure evidence, interview and take statements from witnesses, obtain relevant insurance records and financial information, and assist in criminal prosecutions.
The Legislature has previously granted peace officer status to fire department investigators in some specific cities, including Utica and Binghamton. This bill recognizes that properties in cities are frequently the target of arson, and urban police forces face numerous demands and have limited resources to devote to these types of cases. However, cities do have professional firefighter departments that can help investigate and solve these crimes. Fire department investigators have extensive experience with fire and can greatly contribute to addressing the problem of arson.
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.