Resolution in support of granting the officers of the Co-op City Department of Public Safety peace officer status.

Res. No. 58

Resolution in support of granting the officers of the Co-op City Department of Public Safety peace officer status.

By Council Members King, Cohen, Palma, Mealy, Constantinides, Deutsch, Koo, Koslowitz and Reynoso

Whereas, Co-op City-the nation's largest cooperative residential development-has over 50,000 residents living in 35 high-rise buildings and townhouses; and

Whereas, If Co-op City was counted as a separate city it would be one of the top 15 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 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.

SA

Res.1648/2013

LS# 349/2014

1:08 p.m.