Res. No. 1648
Resolution in support of granting the officers of the Co-op City Department of Public Safety peace officer status.
By Council Members King, The Speaker (Council Member Quinn), Arroyo, Cabrera, Comrie, Dickens, Gennaro, James, Koo, Koslowitz, Palma, Rose, Williams, Wills, Vacca, Rodriguez and Halloran
Whereas, Co-op City is the nation's largest co-operative residential development, with 35 buildings and over 55,000 residents; and
Whereas, If Co-op City was counted as a separate community it would be one of the top 10 largest cities in New York State; and
Whereas, Co-op City has a special private police force of roughly 100 officers; and
Whereas, The cost of maintaining this private police force is shared by Co-op City residents and the Riverbay Corporation; and
Whereas, Presently, Co-op City public safety officers receive their individual peace officer designation following a case-by-case designation review by the New York City Police Department's (NYPD) Special Patrolman Division; and
Whereas, New York State law currently designates certain special private police officers from 82 organizations including public agencies, private entities and colleges, as 'peace officers' on a system-wide basis; and
Whereas, Granting peace officer status to members of the Co-op City public safety operations would provide continuity of services to residents in the event the NYPD modifies or discontinues their Special Patrolman program; and
Whereas, Co-op City public safety officers would have peace officer status upon the successful completion of specialized training as opposed to the 6-8 months it currently takes the NYPD to designate an officer as a Special Patrolman; and
Whereas, Each Co-op City public safety officer would continue to be subject to a thorough NYPD background and character investigation when applying for their firearms permit; and
Whereas, The elimination of the Special Patrolman residency requirement could enhance Co-op City public safety operations by expanding the applicant recruitment pool; and
Whereas, Granting peace officer status to members of the Co-op City public safety department who have completed the necessary training would help officers better protect residents and increase the morale and caliber of officers; and;
Whereas, This change in status would allow the Co-op City Department of Public Safety to be eligible for increased grant opportunities, government programs, training, savings on equipment and supplies and tax benefits; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York supports granting the officers of the Co-op City Department of Public Safety peace officer status.
LS# 4163
01/29/2013
FCC