What's happening
This bill grants police officer status to certain New York City correction officers who complete new required training programs.
Why it matters
Expands police powers for NYC correction officers who complete new training. , allowing them to carry out law enforcement duties similar to police officers, which could impact inmate management, use of force policies, and public accountability.
Mandates comprehensive training—including mental health topics—for all NYC correction officers. , aiming to improve officer preparedness for handling inmates with mental health issues and potentially reducing violent incidents or misuse of authority.
Requires both new and current correction officers to complete the new training program. , with a 36-month window for those already employed, signaling a significant shift in professional standards and expectations for the entire workforce.
Establishes periodic retraining and oversight by a state council. , suggesting increased ongoing education and potential for statewide standards, which could lead to greater consistency and oversight in NYC correctional practices.
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Who cares
NYC correction officers
Members of the uniformed correction force would gain police officer status after completing the specified training program.
NYC Department of Correction
The bill would require training for new hires and training within 36 months for existing uniformed members, unless deemed to have received equivalent training.
State training council and corrections commissioner
The council would develop training policies in consultation with the commissioner of corrections and community supervision and recommend training and periodic retraining rules to the governor.
People held in NYC correctional facilities
The required officer training would include issues related to inmates’ mental health.
Headline styles
Make Corrections Officers Police
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Print number 3920a
- Amend (t) and recommit 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 Corrections Officers Police
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Peter Abbate
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3920--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 21, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GOUNARDES -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to granting police officer status to certain members of the uniformed correction force of the New York city department of correction; and to amend the executive law, in relation to training programs for all members of the uniformed correction force of the New York city department of correction
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 34 of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law is amended by adding a new paragraph (w) to read as follows:
(w) A member of the uniformed correction force of the New York city department of correction who has completed a training program as detailed in subdivision six of section eight hundred forty of the executive law.
§ 2. Subdivision 25 of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law, as amended by section 70 of subpart B of part C of chapter 62 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
25. Officials, as designated by the commissioner of the department of corrections and community supervision pursuant to rules of the department, and correction officers of any state correctional facility or of any penal correctional institution, except for correction officers of the New York city department of correction who have completed a training program as detailed in subdivision six of section eight hundred forty of the executive law.
§ 3. Section 840 of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09920-04-9
S. 3920--A 2
6. (a) The council shall, in addition, develop, maintain, and disseminate, in consultation with the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, written policies and procedures regarding a training program for members of the uniformed correction force of the New York city department of correction. Such training program and associated materials shall include the requirements set forth in subdivisions one and two-a of this section and shall include issues related to the mental health of inmates.
(b) The council shall, in addition, recommend to the governor rules and regulations with respect to the establishment of a training program for all current and new members of the uniformed correction force of the New York city department of correction regarding the policies and procedures established pursuant to this subdivision, along with recommendations for periodic retraining of corrections officers defined as police officers under paragraph (w) of subdivision thirty-four of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law.
(c) The training requirements required by this subdivision shall apply to all corrections officers hired by the city of New York following the effective date of this subdivision. All members of the uniformed correction force of the New York city department of correction employed prior to such effective date shall receive such training within thirtysix months of such effective date, unless such officer is deemed to have previously received equivalent training as determined by the commissioner.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
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 granting police officer status to certain members of the uniformed correction force of the New York city department of correction; and to amend the executive law, in relation to training programs for all members of the uniformed correction force of the New York city department of correction
Purpose
To extend police officer status to members of the uniformed correction force of the New York City Department of Correction
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill amends subdivision 34 of section 1.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law to add members of the uniformed correction force of the New York City Department of Correction to the groups and individ- uals defined as "police officers."
Section two of the bill amends subdivision 25 Section 2.10 of the Crimi- nal Procedure Law to except correction officers of the New York City Department of Correction from the definition of "peace officers."
Section three of the bill adds a new subdivision 6 to Section 840 of the Executive Law to direct the Municipal Police Training Council to develop a new specialized training program for members of the uniformed correction force of the New York City Department of Correction which includes comprehensive training in relation to the mental health of inmates. Section three also provides that current corrections officers shall receive such training within 36 months, except if they have already completed equivalent training.
Section four of the bill provides that this act shall take effect imme- diately.
Existing law
All corrections officers, including correction officers employed by New York City, are considered to be peace officers under current law. Providing a pathway for Uniformed Corrections officers of the New York City Department of Correction to obtain police officer status through an enhanced, modern training curriculum will increase the safety of both City correctional facilities and the City as a whole. Uniformed correction officers of the New York City Department of Correction are currently held to rigorous training requirements by the State Municipal Police Training Council. They are instructed in their own academy, where they receive training that includes: Firearms Training, First Aid/CPR, Defensive Tactics, Interpersonal Communication Skills, Adolescent Inmate Behavior Management, Mental Health Training, Inmate Disciplinary Proce- dures, Preventing Workplace Violence, Report Writing, Suicide Prevention and Intervention, and Use of Force/Use of Restraints Procedures. In addition, specialized units receive additional training as appropriate. These units include: Firearms and Tactics Unit, Emergency Service Unit, and the Fire Safety Unit.
This legislation seeks to build upon this training and directs the Coun- cil to develop additional programming equivalent to that required of municipal police officers. In addition, recognizing the City's goal of promoting the mental health of the adult and adolescent inmate popu- lation, the legislation directs the Council to develop comprehensive mental health training programming for Uniformed Corrections officers of the New York City Department of Correction. This legislation acknowl- edges the changing needs facing of the Uniformed Corrections officers of the New York City Department of Corrections.
Legislative history
2017-8: S.5252 - Referred to Codes 2016:S.3348 - 3rd Reading Calendar 2015:S.3348 - Referred to Codes 2013- 2014:S.3634- Referred to Codes 2011- 2012:S.4260- Referred to Codes 2007- 2008:S.3304- Referred to Codes 2005- 2006:S.3264- Referred to Codes
Fiscal implications
None.
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.