New York City Department of Homeless Services Police


The New York City Department of Homeless Services Police is a law enforcement agency in New York City who provide onsite security services to the New York City Department of Homeless Services, and who enforce state and city laws at the 11 facilities operated by the New York City Department of Homeless Services.

History

The New York City Department of Homeless Services was created in 1993 and made a mayoral agency in 1999. The Department of Homeless Services Police was started in 1997 with approximately 65 peace officers assigned to various DHS facilities. By 2002, DHS have 270 special officers assigned at 11 facilities.

Ranks

TitleInsigniaUniform shirt color
ChiefWhite
Assistant ChiefWhite
CaptainWhite
LieutenantWhite
SergeantDark blue
Special OfficerSilver ShieldDark blue

Training

DHS special Officer current training course is seven weeks long, of which four weeks of training is given at John Jay College of Criminal Justice followed by two weeks at the Department of Homeless Services headquarters in Manhattan. The training course includes training in law, police science, powers of a peace officer, defensive tactics, community interaction, radio use, arrest procedures, and first aid/CPR. Re-training is done on a continuous basis at John Jay College.
DHSPD Special officers are now under string oversight by the New York City Police Department.

Power and authority

NYC Department of Homeless Services Special Officer's under New York State Criminal Procedure law, §2.10 Sub 40 which grants them limited powers to make warrantless arrests, issue criminal court summonses. However, unlike police officers, peace officers can only detain a subject with an active warrant.

Equipment

NYC Department of Homeless Services special officers are not authorized the use of firearms as per New York State law. Currently all officers and all Sergeants are equipped with a Tasers, expandable batons, handcuffs, flashlight, bullet resistant vest, pepper spray and a radio that is directly linked to other officers and dispatch.