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The New York State Office of Mental Health Police (OMH Police) is a law enforcement agency that provides police and security services to the New York State Office of Mental Health.
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The New York State Office of Mental Health Police was created through New York State Mental Hygiene Law to police the grounds and buildings of the Office of Mental Health as well as to transport Office of Mental Health patients to and from court and other OMH facilities.[1]
OMH Police officers have New York State peace officer status which is granted under Mental Hygiene Law (Section 7.25), Public Health Law (Section 455); and New York State Criminal Procedure Law (Section 2.10-12).[2][3]
The Office of Mental Health uses the "Safety and Security Officer" title for its OMH Police officers.[4]
Officers are authorized to issue summonses and can affect arrests throughout all of New York State. Some of the duties performed by officers include, but are not limited to, enforcing state and local laws, apprehending absconded patients, filling out motor vehicle accident reports and performing motor vehicle accident investigations within state grounds.[5]
The Office of Mental Health also has "Security Hospital Treatment Assistants", who are non-sworn employees who provide assistance with psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation, and basic nursing care, and are responsible for the safety and security of individuals diagnosed with mental illness who are considered to be dangerous to themselves and/or others. Security Hospital Treatment Assistants receive New York State peace officer status when transporting a convicted criminal per New York State Criminal Procedure Law 2.10-52.[6][7]