Grants peace officer status to investigators employed by the office of the corporation counsel of the city of Yonkers
This bill amends the New York Criminal Procedure Law to add investigators employed by the office of the corporation counsel of the City of Yonkers to the list of peace officers. As peace officers, these investigators would receive the legal authority and status associated with that designation under state law, subject to the limits that apply to peace officers generally.
The bill also makes clear that this new status does not by itself authorize the investigators to carry, possess, repair, or dispose of a firearm. Any firearm authority would still depend on obtaining the appropriate license under Penal Law section 400.00. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
The bill would directly amend Criminal Procedure Law section 2.10 by adding a new subdivision for investigators in the Yonkers corporation counsel’s office. The practical effect is to expand the category of municipal employees recognized as peace officers in New York, which can affect their enforcement powers, training requirements, and legal authority while performing official duties. It does not alter firearm licensing rules and preserves the separate licensing process under the Penal Law.
There is limited recorded legislative discussion or voting history available for this bill, so overall sentiment cannot be measured from debate or floor action. Based on the bill’s narrow scope and sponsor-driven introduction, it appears to be a targeted local-government measure rather than a broadly controversial proposal. The available record shows it was introduced and referred to the Assembly Committee on Codes, with no recorded votes or committee transcript indicating opposition or support.
The main potential point of contention is the expansion of peace officer status to a specific group of municipal investigators, which can raise questions about the scope of enforcement authority granted to local employees and whether such designations should be limited or standardized statewide. Another possible issue is public safety and firearms authority, though the bill explicitly states that peace officer status alone does not authorize firearm possession or use without a separate license. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the available materials.