Grants police officer status for members of the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority; repealer

1 Co-sponsor

• Jesse Hamilton

BILL NUMBER:S4539

Title of bill

An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to granting police officer status to bridge and tunnel officers, sergeants and lieutenants of the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority; to amend the public authorities law, in relation to providing certain powers to the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority; and repealing subdivision 20 of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law relating thereto

Purpose

To grant police officer status to bridge and tunnel officers.

Summary of provisions

1. Subdivision 34 of Section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law is amended by adding a new paragraph (w) to read as follows:

(S) BRIDGE AND TUNNEL OFFICERS, SERGEANTS AND LIEUTENANTS OF THE TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE AND TUNNEL AUTHORITY

§ 2. Subdivision 20 of Section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law is REPEAL

§ 3. section 553 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7-b to read as follows:

7-B. IN ITS DISCRETION TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A BRIDGE AND TUNNEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND A UNIFORMED BRIDGE AND TUNNEL POLICE FORCE

Justification

Bridge and Tunnel Officers are highly trained, certified New York State Peace Officers. Bridge and Tunnel Officers are responsible for law enforcement duties at Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridges and Tunnels, in addition to: maintaining daily 24-hour security patrols; checkpoints; video monitor surveillance; anti-terrorism and traffic enforcement duties. Bridge and Tunnel Officers are the first responders to all emergencies and incidences to preserve the safety and structural integrity of the nine facilities of MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

By expanding the law enforcement powers of Bridge and Tunnel Officers from Peace Officer status to police status, it would greatly enhance the safety and protection of the millions of motorists that travel on MTA's Bridges and Tunnels, surrounding roadways and communities. Bridge and Tunnel Officers perform virtually all police responsibilities with one exception: As the current law is written, the law enforcement powers of Peace Officers are limited when compared to police Officers. The present law prohibits Bridge and Tunnel Officers, in their capacity as Peace Officers, from taking into custody individuals for merely having an arrest warrant. By granting police status to Bridge and Tunnel Officers, it would allow them to arrest individuals with active warrants.

Legislative history

2011-2012: S.1258 - Referred to Codes 2013-2014: S.4255 - Referred to Codes

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.