NYPD Auxiliary Police
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[edit] Headline text
The Police Department of the City of New York (NYPD) has an unpaid volunteer force known as the Auxiliary Police. It is composed of citizens who volunteer time to provide a crime deterrent in the neighborhoods of New York City (NYC) by providing a uniformed presence. Over 4,500 men and women contribute over one million hours of community service each year. The Auxiliaries function as extra “EYES AND EARS” for the Police Department and assist whenever then can. Their primary function is described as PATROL, OBSERVE, and REPORT.
[edit] Duties
The Auxiliary's duties fall into three broad categories:
- Provide additional uniform 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; 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 officers increase the public's perception of police "omnipresence" by patrolling in squad cars, on foot and on bicycle. The squad cars - known as RMPs or Radio Motor Patrols - are dark blue (older vehicles are black), in contrast to the RMPs of regular officers, which are white cars. Auxiliary officers wear virtually the same uniform as regular officers, and are equipped with police radios (directly linked to the Central Dispatcher), flashlights, handcuffs, and nightsticks. Their shield is a seven point star, in contrast to the NYPD's shield. If officers see a crime in progress, they report it to Central Dispatch using their portable radios. Auxiliary police officers act primarily as the eyes and ears of the police department. Before becoming auxiliary police officers, recruits go through 53 hours of training, which includes elements of law and the use of force in self-defense, both unarmed and using the police baton. Though auxiliary officers do not typically arrest, techniques on how to handle an arrest situation are taught should this rare situation arise. Upon the completion of the basic training course new auxiliary officers are issued their shield and identification card along with their initial uniform issue. They are classified as Part-Time Peace Officers by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services-Municipal Police Training Council.
Auxiliary officers in New York City are not allowed to carry a gun at any time on duty, even if independently licensed to carry a gun. Outside New York City, some police departments do allow their auxiliary officers to carry a firearm. Los Angeles Police Department auxiliaries typically have permission to carry a gun with the correct training, as do Long Island auxiliaries. Off-duty police officers, and retired police officers who have joined the Auxiliary Police program may carry their off-duty firearms concealed while on duty. This has been the case for many years, since the early 1970s. This includes State and Federal officers as well as New York City Peace Officers who derive their various authority from New York State's CPL section 210 (in regards to Peace Officers).
Auxiliary officers' patrol presence and keen observation 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. Another important function of auxiliary police officers is to serve as a citizen ready reserve in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. While subject to activation in such a situation, the NYPD has written in its internal periodical that it will call on retired police officers first. Thus it is considered unlikely that Auxiliaries will be activated, although that possibility, however remote, still exists. Generally, auxiliaries are used for police omnipresence and as a force multiplier to assist regular police in non-weapon/minimal danger incidents.
Auxiliaries typically do not work between the hours of 0000 and 0800 unless authorized by the Commanding Officer of the Auxiliary Police Section, or the Police Commissioner.
[edit] 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 Auxiliary Police, who would then act as a liaison to the NYPD in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. In 1967, A Mayoral Executive Order closed the Civil Defense Headquarters and placed full responsibility of the Auxiliary Police Program with the NYPD. During the 1960’s when crime was on the rise, uniform Auxiliary Police patrols were an effective means to deter crime.
[edit] Standard Auxiliary Patrol Units
Precinct Patrol: Officers Patrol their respective precinct. When performing foot patrol, the area of the precinct that the officer patrols is Patrol Area's are divided into "Foot Posts". RMP and Bike Patrol are also performed.
Housing (PSA) Precinct Patrol: 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 are Patrol Area's which are divided into "Foot Posts". RMP and Bike Patrol are also performed.
Transit Division Precinct Patrol: Officers Patrol their respective Transit District precinct. When performing foot patrol, the area of the precinct that the officer patrols is Patrol Area's are divided into "Foot Posts". RMP Patrol is also performed.
[edit] Transit Auxiliary Police Officers
- Further information: New York City Transit Police
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 Auxiliaries work out of Transit precincts known as Districts or Bureaus and carry Transit portable radios. Unlike a precinct, the transit districts cover miles of underground subway. Transit Auxiliary Police periodically perform inspections of the subway station(s)/platforms which they are assigned to, taking note of any suspicious occurrences, and set up a fixed post at the subway turnstiles, or token booths. Due to the common medical emergency calls in Transit, if medically qualified, Transit Auxiliaries can respond to medical emergencies if they are close to that subway station. The main function of NYPD Transit Auxiliary Police, like the NYPD Transit Police, is to always stay within the subway system.
Since being a specialized unit, many Transit Auxiliary Police Officers are "track certified" by the MTA. Some Transit Auxiliary Police Officers have training in the "Gas Mask" which is also known as NYPD Counter-Terrorism Training. Transit Auxiliary Police give the extra needed police presence during rush hour times in the morning and evening. Transit Districts also have Auxiliary School Conditions Officers that patrol the subway stations which are located near public/private schools during students' arrival and departure hours. Transit Auxiliary School Conditions Officers get to know the students and faculty members within schools along their District's subway lines. Transit Auxiliaries also work with the Crime Prevention Officer by "hitting" or going to stations with a rise in crime-rates by handing out Crime Prevention material to the public, and assisting in etching electronic devices. Within the two years of it's establishment, Transit Auxiliary Police Officers have proven to have become an asset to the NYPD Transit Bureau. at [1] [2]
[edit] Specialized Auxiliary Patrol Units
These Specialized Units requires at least 2 to 5 years as an Auxiliary Officer in good standing before you will be considered.
APSU (Auxiliary Patrol Support Unit): Auxiliary version of the NYPD ESU (Emergency Services Unit). Officers wear the same uniform as regular NYPD ESU members wear. 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 carries SOD (citywide) Division radio's and patrols their entire respective patrol borough. '
See article: New York City Police Department Highway Patrol
Highway Patrol: Officers patrol mainly Highways, Parkways, and main Throughfares throughout the City of New York. Auxiliary Highway Officers wear the same uniform as regular highway units and patrol in either the blue RMP or a regular white RMP as long as they have an AUXILIARY marking on each side of the rear fenders. Auxiliary Police Officers must have had at least 5 years of experience before being considered to be taken into the unit.
STU (Special Task Unit): Officers Patrol citywide to high crime area's all over the city that need special attention and extra patrol. However, more typical of this precinct is traveling to other auxiliary 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.
Harbor Unit: Officers patrol NY City's waterways. A marine background such as one obtained through the coast guard, military, or other marine background is required.
Undercover Vice Ops: Officers that are 17 or older but not older then 20 and 6 months 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 Section) and always patrol in uniform. Officers who have received the necessary "Vice Training" may be used by their Command in non-hazardous surveilance with the supervision of regular police officers.
[edit] NYPD Auxiliary Rank Structure
From lowest to highest rank.
- Auxiliary Police Officer
- Auxiliary Police Sergeant
- Auxiliary Police Lieutenant
- Auxiliary Police Captain
- Auxiliary Police Deputy Inspector
- Auxiliary Police Inspector
- Auxiliary Police Deputy Chief
[edit] NYPD Auxiliary Patrol and Patrol Vehicles
Patrol is probably one of the most important duties auxiliaries can perform. Various types of patrol's are possible within different precincts. Almost all precincts perform foot patrol. Other types of patrol include:
- RMP (Auxiliary Police Car) - painted dark blue instead of standard NYPD white,
- Van (15 passenger, for routine patrol and officer transport) - painted dark blue instead of standard NYPD white,
- Ford Rescue/Equipment Truck (Used by APSU unit, equipped with rescue tools and other necessary equipment) - painted dark blue instead of standard NYPD white,
- Bike
- Police Golf Cart (Manhattan, Central Park Precinct - CPP)
Bike, and RMP need special training before auxiliary are allowed to operate them by the Police Academy Driver Training Unit (PADT). The golf cart which is special to the CPP, does need special training to operate.
[edit] Auxiliary Officer Safety
The NYPD ensures the safety of its Auxiliary Officers by requiring that they not pursue dangerous situations, but rather to remove themselves from such danger immediately.
Auxiliary Officers are not permitted to carry firearms while on duty, even if they are licensed gun owners in their off-duty lives. Up until March 26, 2007 The NYPD did not issue or subsidize bulletproof vests to Auxiliaries, But after the tragic shootings of Auxiliary Officers Pekearo and Marshalik, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly have asked the city council to earmark more than 3.3 million dollars to provide all officers with Level IIIA Vests, the same used by full-time officers. On March 27th, 2007 the City Council approved this bill, which will have all auxiliaries equipped with vests in less than nine months.[3]
During training, recruits are repeatedly told that their purpose is to be the "eyes and ears" of the Police Department, not to enforce the law. Indeed, they are instructed to never "chase" after suspects, especially if they are considered to be armed. Although they are equipped with nightsticks, they are told that their most powerful weapon is the radio, which allows them to call full officers to the scene.
However, there is still risk involved in being an Auxiliary Officer. On March 14, 2007, two Auxiliary Officers — Eugene Marshalik and Nicholas Pekearo — were killed in a shootout in Greenwich Village. [4] According to the New York Times, this is the first time an Auxiliary Officer has been killed in the line of duty since 1993. [5]
It is notable that other auxiliaries in the state of New York do carry firearms, and some are even required to. The auxiliary program is authorized under NY state law, and it is only NYPD policy that prevents auxiliaries from carrying on duty.
