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.
Members of New York City law enforcement agencies receive their powers and authority from New York State Criminal Procedure Law as listed:
Police officers as listed and define under NYS Criminal Procedure Law 1.20 The authority of a police officers in New York State are the most broad.
Peace officers are listed and defined under criminal procedure law 2.20. The authority of peace officers are limited by sections and/or subdivisions of the criminal procedure law, New York State penal law and employer restrictions. Peace officers in New York City may also be considered special officers or special patrolman, which are more typically more restrictive with specialized roles and jurisdiction as set forth by their employer.
NYC special officer are responsible for maintaining safety and security at facilities typically operate within specific jurisdictions such as hospitals, city shelters, public buildings, or other municipal facilities. NYC special officers are New York State peace officers pursuant to civil service exam and New York State Criminal Procedure law 2.10, such designation confers very limited NYS Peace authority and is limited to the employee's geographical area of employment, and employer restrictions. Sergeants and above are typically placed under the civil service title of Supervising Special Officer..
Designation as a NYC special patrolmen is unique in New York City, it is granted by the Police Commissioner of New York City Police Department NYPD to New York City agencies, as well as privately owned and operated companies & corporations 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 ç 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. Special Patrolman are required to keep their status for the duration of employment and adhere with all rules promulgated by the Police Commissioner of the City of New York.
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.
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.
These agencies have jurisdiction in both New York and neighboring states.
A number of private owned and operated communities have their own public safety. A limited number of personnel are New York state peace officers after completing a basic peace officer training course. This grants them very limited peace officer authority within their geographical area of employment in New York City.
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.