What's happening
This bill designates New York City urban park rangers as peace officers under state law, granting them related powers.
Why it matters
Expands authority and responsibility. By designating NYC urban park rangers as peace officers, the bill gives them broader powers to enforce laws, issue summonses, make arrests, and handle incidents within city parks—potentially improving public safety and park management.
Changes status and training requirements. The new classification may require urban park rangers to meet higher training standards and adhere to different protocols, affecting how they approach their duties and interact with the public.
Limits firearm authority. Although rangers will gain peace officer status, the bill explicitly states they cannot carry or use firearms unless they are properly licensed and authorized, maintaining a level of oversight and safety regarding weapon use.
Reflects a shift in how parks are policed. This move signals a recognition of the complexities urban park rangers face and may influence city policy on how non-police personnel contribute to public order and community engagement in public spaces.
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Make Park Rangers Peace Officers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to codes
- 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.
Make Park Rangers Peace Officers
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Martin J. Golden
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5494
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. LENTOL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to designating urban park rangers employed by the city of New York as peace officers under state law
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 27 of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law, as amended by chapter 664 of the laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
27. New York city special patrolmen appointed by the police commissioner pursuant to subdivision c or e of section 434a-7.0 or subdivision c or e of section 14-106 of the administrative code of the city of New York; provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize such officer to carry, possess, repair or dispose of a firearm unless the appropriate license therefor has been issued pursuant to section 400.00 of the penal law and the employer has authorized such officer to possess a firearm during any phase of the officers on-duty employment. Special patrolmen shall have the powers set forth in section 2.20 of this article only when they are acting pursuant to their special duties; provided, however, that the following categories of New York city special patrolmen shall have such powers whether or not they are acting pursuant to their special duties: school safety officers employed by the board of education of the city of New York; parking control specialists, taxi and limousine inspectors, [urban park rangers] and evidence and property control specialists employed by the city of New York; and further provided that, with respect to the aforementioned categories of New York city special patrolmen, where such a special patrolman has been appointed by the police commissioner and, upon the expiration of such appointment the police commissioner has neither renewed such appointment nor explicitly determined that such appointment
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03826-01-7
A. 5494 2
shall not be renewed, such appointment shall remain in full force and effect indefinitely, until such time as the police commissioner expressly determines to either renew or terminate such appointment.
§ 2. Section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law is amended by adding a new subdivision 84 to read as follows:
84. While on the property of the city of New York, park rangers employed by such city provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize such officer to carry, possess, repair or dispose of a firearm unless the appropriate license therefor has been issued pursuant to section 400.00 of the penal law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.