What's happening
This bill designates New York City urban park rangers as peace officers under state law, with limited firearm authority.
Why it matters
Expands public safety authority. By designating urban park rangers as peace officers, the bill gives them legal powers such as making arrests, issuing summonses, and enforcing laws within city parks, which could enhance park safety and improve response to incidents.
Limits firearm authority. The bill specifically restricts rangers’ ability to carry or use firearms, requiring both a state-issued license and explicit employer authorization, reflecting an intent to balance increased enforcement authority with public safety concerns.
Clarifies legal status and responsibilities. This move codifies the rangers’ role in state law, potentially providing them with clearer protections, training requirements, and legal standing, which may affect how park incidents are managed and prosecuted.
Removes ambiguity for rangers. By taking urban park rangers out of the “special patrolmen” category and creating a separate designation, the bill could reduce confusion about their powers and duties, benefiting both the rangers and the public they serve.
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Who cares
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Make Park Rangers Peace Officers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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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 Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Joseph Lentol
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1863
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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
S. 1863 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
To designate Urban Park Rangers as peace officers
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of this bill amends subdivision 27 of section 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law to strike urban park rangers.
Section two of this bill amends section 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law by adding a new subdivision 84 to provide that park rangers employed by the City of New York and while on property owned by the City shall be peace officers. These peace officers are only allowed to carry, possess, repair or dispose of a firearm if they are licensed in accordance with Penal Law section 400.00.
Section three of this bill provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Public safety in New York City's parks is a priority for New York City's residents. New York City's parks are one of the City's most important benefits of urban living. The individuals who patrol the parks have a substantial responsibility in keeping New York City safe. Urban Park Rangers employed by the City of New York as Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) perform the same law enforcement functions as police officers and other uniformed service personnel in the city of New York; such as making arrests, issuing summonses, and enforcing rules and regulations as well as the NYS Penal law. New York City Urban Park Rangers are presently "New York City special patrolmen", which have all the powers of peace officers under New York Law. In recognition of the important public safety functions performed by the Urban Park Rangers of NYC; this bill clarifies the powers of the Urban Park Rangers as peace officers and removes geographic and special duty limitations on the exercise of those powers.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.4155-A - Passed the Senate 2015: S.4155 - Passed the Senate
Fiscal implications
Undetermined
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.