N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 423: Peace officers and their duties

§ 423. Peace officers and their duties. The officers and members of

the state police, any local police department and any peace officer

acting pursuant to his special duties shall have and exercise the power

and it shall be their duty to investigate and make arrests for

violations of the provisions of this chapter. They shall investigate any

theft of a motor vehicle or trailer, of which they receive notice or

have information, and arrest or cause the arrest of any person where

reasonable grounds exist to believe that such person has stolen a motor

vehicle or trailer, and, when necessary for such arrest, make complaint

on information before the proper court or magistrate.