Abbreviation NYHP | Formed 1973 | |
 | ||
Common name New York Hospital Police Motto New York's Courageous
Beneficence, Honor, Fidelity Legal personality Governmental: Government agency Operations jurisdiction* City of New York in the state of New York, USA | ||
The New York City Hospital Police Department (NYHP) is a law enforcement agency in New York City whose duties are to provide on-site security services at hospitals and clinics operated by the New York City Health and Hospitals Department (HHC) and to enforce state and city laws at those facilities.
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History
New York City Health and Hospital Special Officers have provided onsite security to the New York City Hospitals since the 1940s, when they were known as the City of New York Department of Hospitals. The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) was established in 1965 to operate New York City public hospitals. Until 1973, HHC-operated hospitals were patrolled by both hospital special officers and police officers from the New York City Police Department.
In 1973, Special Patrolmen were hired to replace the NYPD officers. However, it wasn't until 1980 when "Special Officers employed by the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation" were added to NYS Criminal Procedure Law 2.10.
NYC HHC special Officers
New York City Health and Hospital special officers are NYS Peace Officers. They are employed as a NYC Health and Hospitals as special officers as per civil service title and NYS criminal procedure law (2.10 sub 40).
NYC Health and Hospital special Officers can be promoted to the position of Sergeant provided they take and pass a civil service exam and subsequent training course, and may be appointed to the position of Detective, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Director, or Director.
Ranks
There are eight titles (referred to as ranks) in the New York City Hospital and Hospital Special Officers:
Power and Authority
New York City Health + Hospital Special Officers are NYS peace officers under New York State Criminal Procedure law, chapter subdivision 27, §2.10 Sub 40 which gives them limited powers to make warrantless arrests, issue criminal court summonses, and use physical force.
Training
New York City Health + Hospital Special Officer must complete The current training course of seven weeks long, of which four weeks is given at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The curriculum includes training in basic criminal and civil procedure law, police science, powers of a peace officer, defensive tactics, radio use, arrest procedures, and first aid/CPR.
NYC Health and Hospital Special Officers are required to attend annual in-service training to ensure compliance with applicable provisions of the New York State’s Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Equipment
NYC Hospital Special Officers are not authorized to carry a firearm as per New York State Law (Criminal Procedure Law). They do carry expandable baton, handcuffs, flashlight, and a radio that is directly linked to other officers.
Deaths in the line of duty
Since the establishment of the New York City Hospital and Hospital, one Special officers has died in the line on duty.