New York City Department of Homeless Services Police
The New York City Department of Homeless Services Police (NYC DHS Police) is a law enforcement agency in New York City who provide onsite security services to the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and who enforce state and city laws at the 11 facilities operated by the New York City Department of Homeless Services.
New York City Department of Homeless Services Police | |
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Common name | New York City Homeless Services Police |
Abbreviation | DHSPD |
Motto | Policing With Compassion |
Agency overview | |
Formed | 1993 |
Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction | New York, New York, USA |
Map of New York City Department of Homeless Services Police's jurisdiction. | |
Size | 468.9 square miles (1,214.4 km2) |
Population | 8,274,527 |
Legal jurisdiction | New York City Department of Homeless Services |
General nature | |
Specialist jurisdiction |
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Operational structure | |
Headquarters | 33 Beaver Street |
Agency executive |
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Parent agency | New York City Department of Homeless Services |
Facilities | |
Stations | 11 facilities |
Website | |
NYC Department of Homeland Services Official Site |
History
The New York City Department of Homeless Services was created in 1993 and made a mayoral agency in 1999. The Department of Homeless Services Police was started in 1997 with approximately 65 peace officers assigned to various DHS facilities. By 2002, DHS (Police) have 270 special officers assigned at 11 facilities.
Ranks
Title | Insignia | Uniform shirt color |
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Chief | White | |
Assistant Chief | White | |
Captain | White | |
Lieutenant | White | |
Sergeant | Dark blue | |
Special Officer | Silver Shield | Dark blue |
Training
DHS special Officer current training course is seven weeks long, of which four weeks of training is given at John Jay College of Criminal Justice followed by two weeks at the Department of Homeless Services headquarters in Manhattan. The training course includes training in law, police science, powers of a peace officer, defensive tactics, community interaction, radio use, arrest procedures, and first aid/CPR. Re-training is done on a continuous basis at John Jay College. DHSPD Special officers are now under string oversight by the New York City Police Department.
Power and authority
NYC Department of Homeless Services Special Officers are New York State peace officers under New York State Criminal Procedure law, ยง2.10 Sub 40 which grants them limited powers to make warrantless arrests, issue criminal court summonses. However, unlike police officers, peace officers can only detain a subject with an active warrant.
Equipment
NYC Department of Homeless Services special officers are not authorized the use of firearms as per New York State law. Currently all officers and all Sergeants are equipped with Tasers, expandable batons, handcuffs, flashlight, bullet resistant vest, pepper spray and a radio that is directly linked to other officers and dispatch.
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in New York
- Law enforcement in New York City
- Security police