Grants peace officer status to security officers employed by St. Joseph's Health Hospital, North Medical Center and Northeast Medical Center

Syracuse-area hospital security get peace officer status

Security officers at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital (Syracuse), North Medical Center (North Syracuse), and Northeast Medical Center (Fayetteville) now have peace officer status while doing their special duties on hospital property and at hospital subsidiaries. On those grounds, they have the peace officer powers listed in state law (paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, and h of CPL 2.20(1)). They may detain a person for a reasonable time if they have actual knowledge or probable cause, while waiting for law enforcement. Off-site, they may act only if the local police chief (or designee) asks them to transport someone arrested under CPL 140.27, and only when no local officer is available in time. They may not carry or handle a firearm unless they have a license under Penal Law 400.00. The law takes effect immediately.