N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law § 7.25: Safety

§ 7.25 Safety.

(a) The commissioner and the directors of in-patient facilities in the

office of mental health may designate safety officers to act as special

police officers whose duty it shall be, under orders of the appropriate

officer, to preserve peace and good order in facilities of such office

and to fully protect the grounds, buildings, and patients. Such safety

officers acting as special police officers shall possess all the powers

of peace officers, as set forth in section 2.20 of the criminal

procedure law, while performing duties in or arising out of the course

of their employment. Such peace officers when acting pursuant to their

special duties may issue and serve a simplified traffic information and

appearance ticket, in the form prescribed by the commissioner of motor

vehicles pursuant to section two hundred seven of the vehicle and

traffic law, upon a person when he or she has reasonable cause to

believe that such person has committed a traffic infraction in his or

her presence, and shall have the power to issue and serve an appearance

ticket as defined in section 150.10 of the criminal procedure law for an

offense other than a felony in lieu of an arrest.

(b) The commissioner shall cause to be developed and implemented a

comprehensive training program for such safety officers. Such a program

is to be provided to persons hired as safety officers within five weeks

after such hiring, and shall include, but need not be limited to

training in the following areas:

1. fire prevention;

2. basic criminal law;

3. first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation;

4. conducting investigations;

5. rudimentary police work, including issuance of summons, traffic

control, and lawful use of force;

6. proper use of restraint; and

7. any other training deemed necessary to augment such person's skills

in providing necessary safety and security services for the facility.