| New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police | |
| Common name | NYPD Auxiliary |
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| Patch of the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police. | |
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| Shield of the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police | |
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| Flag of the New York City Police Department | |
| Motto | Fidelis ad Mortem |
| Faithful till Death | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1950 |
| Legal personality | Governmental: Government agency |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction* | City of New York in the state of New York, USA |
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| Map of New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police's jurisdiction. | |
| Size | 1,214.4 km² |
| Population | 8,274,527 |
| Legal jurisdiction | New York City |
| General nature |
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| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Auxiliary Police Section 120-55 Queens Boulevard Kew Gardens, NY 11424 |
| Auxiliary Police Officers | 4,500+ |
| Police Commissioner responsible | Raymond W. Kelly |
| Agency executive | Deputy Inspector Angelo Maroulis, Commanding Officer |
| Parent agency | New York City Police Department |
| Units |
List
Precinct Patrol
Transit Bureau Housing Bureau Auxiliary Patrol Support Unit Special Task Unit Highway Patrol Harbor Undercover Vice Ops |
| Boroughs |
List
Manhattan North
Manhattan South Brooklyn North Brooklyn South Queens North Queens South Bronx Staten Island |
| Facilities | |
| Commands | 76 Precincts
12 Transit Districts 9 Housing Police Service Areas |
| Police cars | Approx. 100 |
| Website | |
| Official Site | |
| Footnotes | |
| * Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction. | |
The New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police is an unpaid, unarmed reserve police force which is a subdivision of the New York City Police Department. Auxiliary Police officers assist the NYPD with uniformed patrols and provide traffic and crowd control at vehicular accidents, fires, demonstrations and other major events. Over 4,500 Auxiliary Police officers contribute over one million hours of service each year.[1]
Ranks
There are seven titles (referred to as ranks) in the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police[2]:
| Title | Insignia | Uniform Shirt Color |
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| Auxiliary Deputy Chief |
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| Auxiliary Inspector |
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| Auxiliary Deputy Inspector |
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| Auxiliary Captain |
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| Auxiliary Lieutenant |
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| Auxiliary Sergeant |
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| Auxiliary Police Officer |
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- There are also three positions within the Auxiliary Police that are not considered ranks. They are Field Training Officer(FTO), Executive Officer(XO), and Commanding Officer(CO).
History
In 1950, the 81st Congress of the United States of America passed the Public Law #920, entitled "The Civil Defense Act of 1950" authorizing a Federal Civil Defense Program. In 1951, the New York State Legislature enacted the "Defense Emergency Act" requiring New York City to recruit, train, and equip volunteer Civil Defense wardens who would provide traffic and crowd control and other assistance to police officers in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
State penal law provided peace officer status for the Civil Defense wardens during the event of an actual natural or man-made disaster or attack or during training drills. In 1967, a Mayoral Executive Order closed the Civil Defense Headquarters and placed full responsibility of the Auxiliary Police Program with the NYPD. Once the NYPD took responsibility of the Program, they renamed the title of Civil Defense warden to Auxiliary Police officer, changed the uniform to the police officer uniform, and expanded the duties of the volunteers. During the 1960s when crime was on the rise, uniformed Auxiliary Police patrols were an effective means to deter crime.
Training, Power, and Authority
Auxiliary Police recruits must pass a 16-week "Auxiliary Police Basic Training Course" which is classified as "Part Time Peace Officer Training". Auxiliary recruits are required by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council to undergo and pass this training course before they become Auxiliary Police officers. The training given in this course includes training in penal law, police science, powers of a peace officer, radio use, unarmed self defense, self defense with a straight baton, first aid, and arrest procedures.
In 2008, the NYPD revised the training course to include training in location and use of pressure points, dealing with domestic violence situations, firearm safety, and terrorism awareness. A written and physical exam is given at the end of training. Upon the completion of the Basic Training Course, the physical exam, and the written exam, probationary Auxiliary Police officers are issued their shield and police identification card along with their baton and initial uniform allowance voucher.[3]
All Auxiliary Police officers are required by New York State to pass an annual refresher course in the use of force with the straight baton, arrest procedures, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in order to maintain their peace officer status.
Auxiliary Police officers are certified as "Part-Time Peace Officers without Firearms Training" by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services-Municipal Police Training Council and are registered as peace officers in the NYS DCJS registry of peace officers.
Although volunteers, Auxiliary Police officers are city employees while on duty and may be eligible for Workers' Compensation in the event of injury while on duty.
Auxiliary Police officers who work the minimum required hours per fiscal year receive an annual uniform allowance check to help pay for new and replacement equipment and uniforms.
Laws
- Auxiliary Police officers may carry and use straight batons under the authority of NYS Penal Law 265.20 b.
- Auxiliary Police officers may carry and use handcuff restraints both on and off duty in accordance with NYC Administrative Code 10-147
- Auxiliary Police officers may physically detain violators of Misdemeanors and Felonies under the State of New York Civil Defense Act Article # 8 Section # 105
- Auxiliary Police officers injured while on duty are provided Workers Compensation under NYC Administrative Code Section 14-147 of chapter 1 of title 14
- Auxiliary Police officers receive an annual uniform allowance in accordance with the NYC Administrative Code Section 14-148
- Auxiliary Police officers are included in the "fellow officer rule" and may make an arrest for a crime which was not committed in their presence based on information from a dispatcher or police officer heard over a police radio or from a police officer in person. (Authorized by case law: "THE PEOPLE &C., RESPONDENT, v. WILFREDO ROSARIO, APPELLANT)
- Auxiliary Police officers can use physical and deadly force to make an arrest, or when a person uses physical or deadly force against an officer or a third person in accordance with the NYPD Auxiliary training manual.
Duties
Auxiliary Police officers duties fall into four broad categories[4]:
- Daily patrol of assigned sectors within their respective precinct, transit district, housing area or specialized unit coverage area.
- Provide additional uniform police presence at parks, playgrounds, pools, street fairs, flea markets, block parties, shopping areas, subway entrances and exits, and school/church crossings.
- Assist with vehicular and pedestrian traffic at parades, marathons, concerts, intersections with broken traffic lights, accident scenes, and fire scenes.
- Assist in Precinct Identification Programs, Combat Auto Theft Program, Bicycle ID Program, Operation ID Program, Kid Care Program, and VIN Etching Program.
Auxiliary Police officers increase the public's perception of police "omnipresence" by patrolling in police cars, on foot and on bicycle. The police cars, known as RMPs or Radio Motor Patrols, are dark blue or black with white decals or white with light blue decals. Auxiliary Police officers wear virtually the same uniform as regular officers, and are equipped with straight batons, bullet resistant vests, police radios directly linked to the Central Dispatcher, other Auxiliary officers, and regular officers, flashlights, whistles, handcuffs, and reflective traffic vests. Their badge is a seven point star, in contrast to the shield worn by regular officers.[5]
Auxiliary Police officers in New York City are not permitted to carry a side arm at any time on duty, even if independently licensed to carry a firearm. In other jurisdictions within New York State, some police departments do allow their Auxiliary Police officers to carry a firearm.
Auxiliary Police officers patrol presence, observations and reporting of incidents requiring regular police response, as well as interacting with the public, are meant to aid in crime reduction and enhance relations between the community and the police.
Role of the Auxiliary Police Officer
Auxiliary Police officers CAN:
- Assist at accident and fire scenes
- Assist with crowd control
- Assist with police paperwork
- Block off traffic at parades, accidents, fires, etc
- Perform traffic control at broken traffic lights, accidents, etc
- Make arrests when a crime (Felony or Misdemeanor) is committed in their presence
- Make an arrest for a crime which was not committed in their presence based on information from a dispatcher or police officer heard over a police radio or from a police officer in person. (Authorized by case law: "THE PEOPLE &C., RESPONDENT, v. WILFREDO ROSARIO, APPELLANT")
- Assist with vehicle or VIP escorts
- Give medical aid to anyone as long as they are trained to do so
- Carry and use a police baton in the performance of their duties (NYS Penal Law 265.20 b.)
- Carry and use handcuff restraints in the performance of their duties (NYC Administrative Code 10-147)
Auxiliary Police officers CANNOT:
- Make arrests for crimes not committed in their presence unless directed to do so by a regular police officer or a police dispatcher. In 1991, the New York State Court of Appeals determined that Auxiliary Police officers are covered under the "fellow officer rule", and may detain or arrest a person based on information from a dispatcher or police officer heard over a police radio or from a police officer in person. (Authorized by case law: "THE PEOPLE &C., RESPONDENT, v. WILFREDO ROSARIO, APPELLANT")
- Respond to calls involving any type of weapons or other life endangering conditions
- Carry a firearm[6]
- Make traffic stops unless authorized to do so by competent police authority
- Issue summonses
Standard Auxiliary Police Units
Precinct Patrol: Officers patrol their respective precinct. When performing foot patrol, the area of the precinct that the officer patrols is called a Patrol Area, which are divided into "Foot Posts". RMP and Bike Patrol are also performed.[7]
Housing Bureau: Officers patrol their respective Housing (Police Service Area) precinct, mainly being a uniformed presence within the NYC housing projects. When performing foot patrol, the area of the precinct that the officer patrols is called Patrol Areas, which are divided into "Foot Posts". RMP and Bike Patrol are also performed.[7]
Transit Bureau: Officers patrol their respective Transit District precinct. When performing foot patrol, the area of the precinct that the officer patrols is called a Patrol Area, which are divided into "Foot Posts". RMP Patrol is also performed.[7]
Transit Auxiliary Police Officers
Two weeks after the 2005 London bombings, a new directive stated that New York City would institute a citywide transit Auxiliary program with the intent of reducing crime and fighting terrorism in the city's transit system. Transit Auxiliary officers work out of Transit Bureau precincts known as Districts and carry Transit portable radios. Unlike a precinct, the transit districts cover miles of underground subway. Transit Auxiliary Police officers go through additional training by the Transit Bureau Vandals Squad as well as the Counter-Terrorism Division to build vandalism and terrorism awareness within the Transit System. Transit Auxiliary officers are paired with either a regular police officer or Auxiliary police officer. Transit Auxiliary Police periodically perform inspections of the subway station(s) and platforms which they are assigned to, taking note of any suspicious occurrences, and set up a fixed post at the subway turnstiles, token booths, mezzanines, or platforms. Transit Auxiliary officers also conduct subway train inspections as well as train runs to/from stations that which assignment is given. Due to the common medical emergency calls in Transit, if medically qualified, Transit Auxiliary Police officers can respond to medical emergencies if they are near to the transit location. The main function of the NYPD Transit Auxiliary Police, like the NYPD Transit Police, is to primarily remain within the subway system.[8] [9][10][11]
Specialized Auxiliary Police Units
Auxiliary Patrol Support Unit (APSU): Auxiliary Police version of the NYPD's Emergency Services Unit (ESU). Officers wear the same uniform as regular NYPD ESU officers. They assist regular ESU units involving jobs such as dangerous conditions, rescues, vehicle accidents, lockouts, blackouts, blocked roads, natural disasters and other non-tactical calls where ESU is needed. These units carry many specialized tools, generators, lighting and other necessary gear in their vehicles to assist with said jobs. This unit is able to monitor and transmit on both local precinct radio frequencies as well as the SOD (Special Operations Division) citywide frequency. Unlike precinct patrol Auxiliary units, this unit patrols their entire respective patrol borough covering multiple precincts. Officers in this unit are required to go through extra training.[12] (As of September 2007, this unit is suspended from patrols for unknown reasons, and it is unknown when and if this unit will be allowed to resume patrols.)
Highway Patrol: Officers patrol highways, parkways, and main thoroughfares throughout the City of New York. Auxiliary Highway Patrol officers wear the same uniform as regular Highway Patrol officers and patrol in regular officers RMPs with AUXILIARY decals on each side, in Auxiliary Police Highway Patrol RMPs, or on motorcycles with AUXILIARY decals on each side. All applicants to this unit are required to have a minimum of five years experience as a patrol officer with the NYPD Auxiliary Police before they will be considered for the job. In addition they must be qualified to operate Highway Patrol vehicles and motorcycles. See article: New York City Police Department Highway Patrol[13]
Special Task Unit (STU): Officers patrol citywide to high crime areas all over the city that need special attention and extra patrol. However, more typical of this unit is traveling to precincts in Queens and Brooklyn during special events such as concerts, marathons, etc. to increase the police presence. They do not confine themselves to one location or precinct.[13]
Harbor Unit: Officers patrol New York City's waterways. A marine background such as one obtained through the coast guard, military, or other marine background is required.[13]
Undercover Vice Ops: Officers that have not reached the age of 20 years and 6 months old can be utilized to assist the NYPD Vice Unit for "Quality of Life enforcement" stings which address illegal alcohol, knife, and spray paint sales. Other than this exception, NYPD Auxiliary Police officers are never undercover (*unless authorized by the Police Commissioner or Commanding Officer of the Auxiliary Police) and always patrol in uniform. Officers who have received the necessary "Vice Training" may be used by their Command in non-hazardous surveillance with the supervision of regular police officers.[14]
- The Auxiliary Police also has a Ceremonial Unit made up of a small group of Auxiliary officers.[15]
Auxiliary Patrol and Police Vehicles
Patrol is one of the most important duties Auxiliary officers can perform. Various types of patrols are possible within different precincts. Almost all precincts perform foot patrol. Other types of patrol include:
- RMP (Auxiliary Police Car) - Older cars are painted dark blue or black with white decals and newer cars are painted white with light blue decals.
- Van (15 passenger; Used for routine patrol and officer transport) - Older vans are painted dark blue or black with white decals and newer vans are painted white with light blue decals.
- Ford Rescue/Equipment (REP) Truck (Only used by APSU; Equipped with rescue tools and other necessary equipment) - Older trucks are painted dark blue or black with white decals and newer ones white with light blue decals.
- Bicycle
- Police Golf Cart (Only used in Manhattan's Central Park Precinct)
In most cases, Auxiliary Police vehicles are retired vehicles that were once used by regular officers. Once the vehicle attains a certain amount of mileage, it is taken out of service and is either redecaled and given to a command for the Auxiliary Police, or is sold. APSU rescue trucks are retired ESU trucks, and Auxiliary Highway Patrol RMPs are retired RMPs previously used by regular Highway Patrol officers. Most commands only have 1 Auxiliary vehicle, but some have 2 or more. The amount of Auxiliary vehicles per command is based on how many Auxiliary officers are working there and how many extra vehicles the NYPD has available. Commands that have APSU units not only have the Auxiliary RMPs, but also the rescue trucks and the passenger vans. It should also be noted that older Auxiliary vehicles are painted either dark blue or black with white decals in contrast to the vehicles used by regular officers, which are white with light blue decals. In 2008, the NYPD changed the paint and decal color of Auxiliary vehicles to white with light blue decals in order to look like vehicles used by regular officers.[16]
Officers wishing to operate a bicycle, RMP, or van need special training before they are allowed to operate them. Training is done by the Police Academy Driver Training Unit (PADT) which is located at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. The golf cart, which is special to the Central Park Precinct, also requires special training to operate.[3]
Auxiliary Police Officer Safety
The NYPD ensures the safety of its Auxiliary Police officers by requiring that they not pursue dangerous situations, but rather to remove themselves from such danger immediately. During training, recruits are repeatedly told that their purpose is to be the "eyes and ears" of the Police Department, and they are not required to enforce the law unless absolutely necessary. Although they are equipped with batons and handcuffs, they are told that their most powerful weapon is the police radio, which allows them to call for back-up officers to the scene. Auxiliary Police officers are not issued, nor are permitted to carry firearms while on duty, even if they are licensed gun owners.
There is still risk involved in being an Auxiliary officer. On March 14, 2007, two Auxiliary Police officers — Eugene Marshalik and Nicholas Pekearo — were killed in a shootout in Greenwich Village.[17] This was the first time NYPD Auxiliary Police officers were killed in the line of duty since 1993.
Up until March 26, 2007 the NYPD did not issue or subsidize ballistic vests to Auxiliary officers. But after the tragic shootings of Auxiliary Police officers Pekearo and Marshalik, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly have asked the New York City Council to earmark more than 3.3 million dollars to provide all Auxiliary Police officers with Level IIIA Vests, the same used by full-time officers. On March 27, 2007 the City Council approved this bill, which will have all Auxiliary officers equipped with vests in less than nine months.[18]
Representation
Currently, the three largest unions that represent NYPD Auxiliary Police officers are the Auxiliary Police Benevolent Association(APBA)[19], Auxiliary Police Supervisors Benevolent Association(APSBA)[20], and the New York State Association of Auxiliary Police(NYSAAP)[21].
Line of Duty Deaths
Since the establishment of the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police, 7 officers have died in the line of duty.[22]
| Officer's Name | End Of Watch | Cause Of Death |
|---|---|---|
| Auxiliary Sergeant David Freed |
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Assault |
| Auxiliary Sergeant Noel R. T. Faide |
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Vehicular Assault |
| Auxiliary Sergeant Larry L. Cohen |
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Vehicular Assault |
| Auxiliary Police Officer Armando Rosario |
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Gunfire |
| Auxiliary Police Officer Milton S. Clarke |
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Gunfire |
| Auxiliary Police Officer Nicholas T. Pekearo |
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Gunfire |
| Auxiliary Police Officer Yevgeniy (Eugene) Marshalik |
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Gunfire |
Controversy
Currently, there is controversy over peace officer status for Auxiliary Police officers. Under current law, Auxiliary Police officers do not have peace officer status unless during an emergency, such as a natural or man made disaster. This issue was made public in 2008 when the federal government denied federal death benefits for the families of Auxiliary Police officer's Eugene Marshalik and Nicholas Pekearo, who were killed in the line of duty, due to their lack of peace officer status when they were killed. The federal government came under heavy criticism for denying the benefits, and in an appeal, reversed their decision and approved the death benefits.[23] To fix this problem, many individuals including numerous politicians and the presidents of the APSBA and NYSAAP are trying to get peace officer status for Auxiliary Police officers when they are on duty.[24]
Awards and Breast Bars
The department currently authorizes the following breast bars and awards to its members. The breast bars and awards the NYPD authorizes are as follows:
Medal of Honor
(Solid green bar speckled tiny gold stars) is awarded for:
- Individual acts of extraordinary bravery intelligently performed in the line of duty at imminent and personal danger to life. Specifically, the Department Medal of Honor is awarded for acts of gallantry and valor performed with knowledge of the risk involved, above and beyond the call of duty.
American Flag Breast Bar
- May be worn by all members.
World Trade Center Breast Bar
- May be worn by all members who were in the Auxiliary Police program on September 11, 2001.
Award of Valor
- May be worn by all members who have received the Award of Valor.
Award of Commendation
- May be worn by all members who have received the Award of Commendation.
Award of Merit
- May be worn by all members who have received the Award of Merit.
Unit Citation
- May be worn by all members of the unit in the year citation was earned.
Community Service Award (3000 Hours)
- May be worn by all members who have 3000 hours of service in the Auxiliary Police program.
500 Hours Award
- May be worn by all members who have 500 hours of service in the Auxiliary Police program.
Auxiliary Police 50th Anniversary
- May be worn by all members who were in the Auxiliary Police program in 2000.
- The department also awards a Purple Shield to those injured or killed in the line of duty.
See also
- New York City Police Department
- New York City Police Department Highway Patrol
- List of law enforcement agencies in New York
- New York City Police Department Cadet Corps
- Color of the day (police)
References
- ^ Auxiliary Police Overview Page 1
- ^ Auxiliary Police Overview Page 3
- ^ a b Auxiliary Police Overview Page 8
- ^ Auxiliary Police Overview Page 4 and 6
- ^ Auxiliary Police Badge
- ^ Auxiliary Police Overview Page 2
- ^ a b c Auxiliary Police Overview Page 4 and 9
- ^ http://www.nycapba.org/(Auxiliary Police Benevolent Association)
- ^ Volunteer Rail Patrols(New York Post Archives)
- ^ New York City Auxiliary Police PBA,A.P.S. DIRECTIVE # 7; 2005, Accessed August 29, 2007.
- ^ Auxiliary Police Overview Page 9
- ^ About The Auxiliary Patrol Support Unit
- ^ a b c Auxiliary Police Overview Page 4
- ^ Auxiliary Police Overview Page 17
- ^ Auxiliary Police Overview Page 13
- ^ Auxiliary Police Overview Page 10
- ^ Two auxiliary officers killed in Village shootout (ABC 7)
- ^ Vests on way for auxiliaries (Daily News)
- ^ Auxiliary Police Benevolent Association
- ^ Auxiliary Police Supervisors Benevolent Association
- ^ New York State Association of Auxiliary Police
- ^ http://www.odmp.org/agency/2754-new-york-city-police-department---auxiliary-police-section-new-york The Officer Down Memorial Page
- ^ Feds admit mistake, change course on death benefits for auxiliary cop heroes
- ^ Auxiliary Officers Assistance Plan
External links
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