NYPD Auxiliary Police
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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.
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.
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, 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).
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 precints known as Districts or Bureaus.Unlike a precinct, the transit districts cover miles of subway. Transit Auxiliary Police perform periodical inspections of the subway station which they are assigned to, taking note of any suspicious occurrences, and set up a fixed post at the subway turnstyles, or token booths. 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". Transit Auxiliary Police give the police needed presence during rush hour times in the morning and evening. Transit Auxiliaries have proven to have become an asset to the Transit Bureau. at [1] [2]
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.
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[edit] Special auxiliary units
APSU (Auxiliary Police Support Unit): Auxiliary version of the NYPD ESU (Emergency Services Unit). Auxiliaries wear the same uniform as regular NYPD ESU members wear. Assist regular ESU units during vehicle accidents, blackouts, blocked roads, natural disasters and other non-tactical calls where ESU is needed. Prefer 2 year in the program before you can join.
Highway: Patrol mainly Highways and parkways throughout NY City. Wear same uniform as regular highway units. Prefer 2 years in the program before you can join.
STU (Special Task Unit): 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 travelling 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. They prefer 1 year experience in the auxiliary program before requesting to join their unit.
Harbor: Patrol NY City's waterways. They prefer 2 years experience in the auxiliary program before requesting to join their unit. They also require a marine background such as one obtained through the coast guard, military, or other marine background.
Undercover Vice Ops: Auxiliary officers that are 17 or older but not older then 20 and 6 months can be utilized to assist the NYPD Vice Unit in "quality of life" 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.
Transit: Patrols based within the New York City Transit Subway system. Being that this is a newer and specialized unit, recruitment is growing and all are welcomed until the necessary spaces are filled.
[edit] NYPD Auxiliary Rank Structure
From lowest to highest rank.
- A/Police Officer
- A/Police Sergeant
- A/Police Lieutenant
- A/Police Captain
- A/Police Deputy Inspector
- A/Police Inspector
- A/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:
- Bike
- RMP (Auxiliary Police Car)
- 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.
