Law enforcement in New York City

Law enforcement in New York City is carried out by numerous federal, state, city and private agencies. New York City has the highest concentration of law enforcement in the United States.

Powers and authority

Members of New York City law enforcement agencies receive their powers and authority from New York State Criminal Procedure Law as listed:

Police Officers who are listed under Article 2, §1.20 section 34 (A through V)
Peace Officers who are listed under Article 2, §2.10 (1 through 85)..The authority of peace officers are very limited by sections and/or subdivisions of the criminal procedure law, New York State penal law and employer restrictions.
Special Patrolmen The designation as a NYC special patrolmen AKA [special officer] is unique to New York City. It is granted by the Police Commissioner of New York City Police Department NYPD to certain New York City agencies as well as privately owned and operated companies who are responsible for maintaining safety and security at facilities and properties in connection with their special duties of employment. Such designation confers very limited NYS Peace Officer authority upon the employee pursuant to New York State Criminal Procedure Law § 2.10 sub(27). The exercise of this authority is very limited to the employee's geographical area of employment and only while such employee is working, and also by sections and/or subdivisions of the criminal procedure law, New York State penal law and employer restrictions.

List of City Agencies

Since 1942, correction and probation services have been handled by separate agencies, not the sheriff's office.

The New York City Marshals, who are independent public officers enforcing civil debt, are not peace officers. New York City Marshals are regulated by the New York City Department of Investigation.

State agencies

The Government of New York State operates one of the highest numbers of law enforcement agencies in the United States. While their jurisdiction stretches throughout New York City, many functions are duplicated by municipal agencies.

Interstate agencies

These agencies have jurisdiction in both New York and neighboring states.

List of Agencies

Other public agencies

Brooklyn Public Library Department of Public Safety
MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers
Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (Public safety duties at Roosevelt Island and Tramway)

Federal agencies

Campus Safety

Private communities

A number of private communities have their own public safety departments. A limited number of personnel are New York State peace officers after completing the New York State Peace Officer Standard of Training (POST) course. This grants them very limited peace officer authority within their geographical area of employment in New York City.

The Times Square Alliance has its own Public Safety Officers (PSOs) who act as the 'eyes and ears' for the local police. They are unarmed and their motto is: New York's Most Helpful.
The Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership BID has its own Public Safety Officers who act as ambassadors for the area. They patrol in uniform, during the daytime, seven days a week, regardless of weather.

Prosecuting attorneys

In New York State, each county has an elected district attorney who is responsible for the prosecution of violations of New York state laws. Federal law in the city of New York is prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York or the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.