| Agencyname: | New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police |
| Commonname: | NYPD Auxiliary |
| Logocaption: | Flag of New York City |
| Badgecaption: | Shield of a New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police Officer |
| Flag: | Flag of the New York City Police Department.svgborder |
| Flagcaption: | Flag of the New York City Police Department |
| Motto: | Fidelis ad Mortem |
| Mottotranslated: | Faithful to Death |
| Formedyear: | 1950 |
| Country: | United States |
| Countryabbr: | U.S. |
| Divtype: | State |
| Divname: | New York |
| Subdivtype: | City |
| Subdivname: | New York |
| Map: | Map of New York Highlighting New York City.svg |
| Sizearea: | 1214.4sqkm |
| Sizepopulation: | 8,274,527 |
| Legaljuris: | New York City |
| Headquarters: | Auxiliary Police Section 120-55 Queens Boulevard Kew Gardens, NY 11424 |
| Sworntype: | Auxiliary Police Officer |
| Sworn: | 3,700+ |
| Chief1name: | Captain Alexander Cedillo |
| Chief1position: | Commanding Officer |
| Parentagency: | New York City Police Department |
| Officetype: | Borough |
| Stationtype: | Command |
| Stations: | 77 Precincts 12 Transit Districts 9 Housing Police Service Areas |
| Vehicle1type: | Police car/van |
| Vehicles1: | 120 |
| Boat1type: | Police boat |
| Boats1: | 2 |
| Website: | Official Site |
The New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police is a volunteer reserve police force which is a subdivision of the Patrol Services Bureau of the New York City Police Department. Auxiliary Police Officers assist the NYPD with uniformed patrols, providing traffic control, crowd control, and other services during major events.
Over 4,500 Auxiliary Police officers contribute over one million hours of service each year. The NYPD Auxiliary Police program is the largest Auxiliary Police program in the United States.[1]
There are seven titles (referred to as ranks) in the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police:[2]
The precursors to the Auxiliary Police were organized primarily during times of war when police officers were drafted into service, leaving the city with a diminished police force.
The Home Defense League was established in New York City in 1916 under Police Commissioner Arthur Woods to supplement the police force.[3] Many police officers had joined the armed forces as the war in Europe progressed. Citizens volunteered to enroll in the Home Defense League to aid police in patrolling duties and be on hand in case of emergencies.[4] In a matter of months, 22,000 people had volunteered for the Home Defense League. They were required to attend trainings on handling prisoners, protecting themselves, and using weapons. They received no pay. If the need arose (as it did in 1917 when armed forces were mobilized), they could be called into service to guard armories, subway stations, and other areas of the city.[5]
In 1918, the Home Defense League changed its name to the New York Reserve Police Force, as proposed by Commissioner Richard Enright, in addition to undergoing higher-caliber training under Special Deputy Police Commissioner Lewis Rodman Wanamaker.[6] Over 3,000 women joined the Police Reserve, serving under Captain Mary Noonan, primarily to provide eyes and ears for the police, look out for children's safety, and give first aid if necessary.[7] [8] Governor Alfred E. Smith signed a new state law in 1920 that established the permanency of a reserve force as an adjunct of the police department.[9] By the mid-1920s, however, the Police Reserve had gradually stopped functioning as an active part of the Police Department, due to political disputes in a high-crime period. The Reserve was formally disbanded in 1934.[10]
During World War II, the need for a reserve force briefly returned. The City Patrol Corps was organized in 1942 to assist police in patrol work; over 4,500 men and women volunteered. By war's end in 1945, the corps was disbanded, but the city continued to maintain a volunteer police unit.
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 Civil Defense wardens, who would provide traffic and crowd control and other assistance to police officers in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
The New York Penal Law provided peace officer status for the Civil Defense wardens during the event of an actual natural or man-made disaster or attack or during training drills. In 1967, a Mayoral Executive Order closed the Civil Defense Headquarters and placed full responsibility of the Civil Defense wardens with the NYPD. The NYPD retitled the division Auxiliary Police, changed the uniform to reflect police officer uniforms, and revised the duties of Auxiliary Police. During the 1960s when crime was on the rise, uniformed Auxiliary Police patrols were one means to deter crime.
On March 20, 2020, the NYPD suspended the Auxiliary Police unit due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]
Auxiliary Police recruits must pass an 18-week, 140 hour "Auxiliary Police Basic Training Course".
Auxiliary recruits are required by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council to undergo and pass this training course before they become Auxiliary Police officers. The training given in this course includes training in penal law, police science, discipline, radio use, defensive tactics, unarmed self-defense, self-defense with a straight wood baton, physical training, chemical training, first aid, handcuffing techniques, and arrest procedures.
In 2008, the NYPD revised the training course to include training in location and use of pressure points, dealing with domestic violence situations, firearm safety, and terrorism awareness. A written and physical exam is given at the end of training.
Upon the completion of the Basic Training Course, the physical exam, and the written exam, probationary Auxiliary Police officers are issued their shield and police identification card along with their baton and initial uniform allowance voucher. Probationary Auxiliary Police officers must patrol with a field training officer.
All Auxiliary Police officers are required by New York State to pass an annual refresher course in the use of force with the straight baton, arrest procedures, and law in order to maintain their status.
Auxiliary Police officers are neither Police Officers nor Peace Officers (except during an emergency under 2.20 Criminal Procedure Law)
Although volunteers, Auxiliary Police officers are city employees while on duty and may be eligible for Workers' Compensation in the event of injury while on duty.
Auxiliary Police officers must purchase and maintain equipment at their own expense. Officers who work the minimum required hours per fiscal year receive an annual uniform allowance check to help pay for new and replacement equipment and uniforms.
Auxiliary Police officers duties fall into four broad categories:[12]
Auxiliary Police officers increase the public's perception of police "omnipresence" by patrolling in police cars, on foot and on bicycle. The police cars, known in the NYPD as Radio Motor Patrols (or simply "RMPs"), are white with blue decals, the same as regular NYPD police cars. The word "AUXILIARY" is placed on the trunk, hood, and front and rear side panels of the vehicles with a red underline. Auxiliary Police Officers are equipped with straight wood batons when assigned to normal patrol, ASP batons (when assigned to bicycle patrol), bullet resistant vests, police radios directly linked to the Central Dispatcher, flashlights; whistles, handcuffs, notebooks, and reflective traffic vests. With the exception of their badges, which are seven-point stars, in contrast to the shield worn by regular Police Officers, Auxiliary Police officers wear virtually the same uniform as regular officers.[13] Additionally, Auxiliary Police Officers wear the regular NYPD patch on both shoulders with a scroll saying "AUXILIARY" on top.
Auxiliary Police officers in New York City are not permitted to carry a sidearm at any time on duty, even if independently licensed to carry a firearm. In other jurisdictions within New York State, some police departments do allow their Auxiliary Police Officers to carry a firearm.
Auxiliary Police Officers provide patrol presence, observations and reporting of incidents requiring regular police response. Auxiliary Police Officers may be involved in life or death situations like a full police officer but do not have the option of the use of a firearm.
Auxiliary Police officers can:
Auxiliary Police officers cannot:
Precinct Patrol: Officers patrol their respective precinct. When performing foot patrol, the area of the precinct that the officer patrols is called a Patrol Area, which are divided into "Foot Posts". RMP and bike patrol are also performed. Officers under age 18 cannot perform patrol.[15]
Housing Bureau: Officers patrol their respective Housing (Police Service Area) precinct, mainly being a uniformed presence within the NYC housing projects. When performing foot patrol, the area of the precinct that the officer patrols is called Patrol Areas, which are divided into "Foot Posts". RMP and bike patrol are also performed.[15]
Transit Bureau: Officers patrol their respective Transit District precinct. When performing foot patrol, the area of the precinct that the officer patrols is called a Patrol Area, which are divided into "Foot Posts". RMP patrol is also performed.[15]
See main article: New York City Transit Police. 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 Auxiliary officers work out of Transit Bureau precincts known as Districts and carry Transit portable radios. Unlike a precinct, the transit districts cover miles of underground subway. Transit Auxiliary Police officers go through additional training by the Transit Bureau Vandals Squad as well as the Counter-Terrorism Division to build vandalism and terrorism awareness within the Transit System. Transit Auxiliary officers are paired with either a regular police officer or Auxiliary police officer. Transit Auxiliary Police periodically perform inspections of the subway station(s) and platforms which they are assigned to, taking note of any suspicious occurrences, and set up a fixed post at the subway turnstiles, token booths, mezzanines, or platforms. Transit Auxiliary officers also conduct subway train inspections as well as train runs to/from stations that which assignment is given. Due to the common medical emergency calls in Transit, if medically qualified, Transit Auxiliary Police officers can respond to medical emergencies if they are near to the transit location. The main function of the NYPD Transit Auxiliary Police, like the NYPD Transit Police, is to primarily remain within the subway system.[16] [17] [18] [19]
Officers patrol highways, parkways, and main thoroughfares throughout the City of New York. Auxiliary Highway Patrol officers wear the same uniform as regular Highway Patrol officers and patrol in regular officers RMPs in Auxiliary Police Highway Patrol RMPs with AUXILIARY decals on each side. All applicants to this unit are required to have a minimum of five years experience as a patrol officer with the NYPD Auxiliary Police, must be mature, and have exceptional discipline and service records. Officers will be required to attend an Advanced Vehicle Operation Course before they may operate a Highway Patrol Vehicle. Auxiliary Officers aren't allowed to perform Traffic Stops. See article: New York City Police Department Highway Patrol[20]
Officers patrol New York City's waterways. A marine background such as one obtained through the U.S. Coast Guard, military, or other marine background is required.[20]
Citywide Traffic Task Force (CTTF): Officers patrol in areas all over the city that need special attention and extra patrol. However, more typical of this unit is performing duty during special events such as concerts, marathons, parades, etc. to increase the police presence. They are involved in both vehicular and pedestrian traffic control. They do not confine themselves to one location or precinct.[21]
Undercover Vice Ops: Officers that have not reached the age of 21 years old (18-20 1/2) can be utilized to assist the NYPD Vice Unit Narcotics Division for "Quality of Life enforcement" 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) and always patrol in uniform. Officers who have received the necessary "Vice Training" may be used by their command in surveillance operations.
Ceremonial Unit: The Auxiliary Police also has a ceremonial unit made up of a small group of Auxiliary officers.[22]
Patrol is one of the most important duties Auxiliary officers can perform. Various types of patrols are possible within different precincts. Almost all precincts perform foot patrol. Other types of patrol include:
In most cases, Auxiliary Police vehicles are retired vehicles that were once used by regular officers. Once the vehicle attains a certain amount of mileage, it is taken out of service and is either redecaled and given to a command for the Auxiliary Police, or is sold. Auxiliary Highway Patrol RMPs are retired RMPs previously used by regular Highway Patrol officers. Most commands only have one Auxiliary vehicle, but some have two or more. The number of auxiliary vehicles per command is based on how many auxiliary officers are working there and how many extra vehicles the NYPD has available. In 2008, the NYPD changed the paint and decal color of Auxiliary vehicles to white with light blue decals in order to resemble vehicles used by regular officers to assist with “omni-presence” and a cost-saving measure to save money by not having to repaint the vehicles.[24]
Officers wishing to operate a bicycle, police car, or van, need special training before they are allowed to operate them. Training is conducted by the Police Academy Driver Training Unit (PADT) which is located at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. The golf cart, which is special to the Central Park Precinct, also requires special training to operate.[25]
Auxiliary Police officers are not issued and are not permitted to carry firearms while on duty, even if otherwise authorized/licensed to carry when off-duty.
Seven auxiliary officers have been killed in the line of duty. On March 14, 2007, two Auxiliary Police officers—Eugene Marshalik and Nicholas Pekearo—were killed in a shootout in Greenwich Village.[26]
Up until March 26, 2007, the NYPD did not issue or subsidize ballistic vests to Auxiliary officers. But after the shootings of Pekearo and Marshalik, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly asked the New York City Council to earmark more than $3.3 million to provide all Auxiliary Police officers with Level IIIA Vests, the same used by full-time officers. On March 27, 2007, the City Council approved this bill, which had all Auxiliary officers equipped with vests. Since then, in 2010, funding for vest for Auxiliary Police Officers has run out of the NYPD City Budget. Every Police Precinct, Housing Police Service Area and Transit District has a pool of "loaner" vest for new Auxiliary Police Officers to use while on patrol. Afterwards, they are returned and secured by the Auxiliary Coordinator.[27]
Since 1964, the Auxiliary Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, Inc. (APBA,) has been the union representing NYC Auxiliary Police Officers of all ranks. Although part-time volunteers, NYC APOs face many issues similar to those faced by paid employees, including health and safety conditions and NYPD disciplinary procedures, and the need for their interests to be represented to city, state and federal government, and other entities beyond the NYPD.
While they receive no compensation for their time on duty, qualifying APOs do receive an annual uniform allowance, which was originally won by the APBA. Membership in the union is voluntary.
Since the establishment of the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police, seven officers have died in the line of duty.[28]
| Officer's name | End of watch | Cause of death | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auxiliary Sergeant David Freed [29] | Sunday, August 31, 1975 | Assault | |
| Auxiliary Sergeant Noel R. T. Faide [30] | Sunday, January 29, 1989 | Vehicular Assault | |
| Auxiliary Sergeant Larry L. Cohen [31] | Sunday, January 29, 1989 | Vehicular Assault | |
| Auxiliary Police Officer Armando Rosario [32] | Wednesday, March 25, 1992 | Gunfire | |
| Auxiliary Police Officer Milton S. Clarke [33] | Wednesday, December 1, 1993 | Gunfire | |
| Auxiliary Police Officer Nicholas T. Pekearo [34] | Wednesday, March 14, 2007 | Gunfire | |
| Auxiliary Police Officer Yevgeniy (Eugene) Marshalik [35] | Wednesday, March 14, 2007 | Gunfire |
See main article: New York City Police Department Medal of Honor. (Solid green bar speckled tiny gold stars) is awarded for:
