New York State University Police
The New York State University Police is the law enforcement agency of the State University of New York system. Approximately 600 uniformed officers and investigators, as well as sixty-four chiefs, serve the 28 state college and university campuses throughout the state.
University Police Officers are charged with crime detection and prevention, in addition to the enforcement of state and local laws, rules, and regulations. As part of the unit's prevention activities, officers speak on topics such as sexual assault, drugs, crime prevention and traffic safety. Officers are responsible for developing and maintaining a positive relationship with students, faculty, and staff in order to ensure safety and facilitate cooperation within the campus community.
History
The New York State University Police was formed in response to growing unrest in the SUNY system during the mid-1960s. Demonstrations and protests against the Vietnam War, the growing drug use, questioning authority and various political movements and demonstrations contributed to the formation of today's State University Police. Several incidents during the 1990s emphasized the need for a full service police agency. These included a hostage-taking in a University at Albany lecture hall by a deranged gunman, the "Bike Path Rapist" who killed a female student at the University at Buffalo and the suspicious circumstances regarding the disappearance of a University at Albany student while on campus. These and other incidents moved the Governor and Legislature to create the New York State University Police in 1999. Officers have the powers of arrest, issue uniform traffic tickets, and enforce New York State laws.Timeline
; 1971 : First Campus Security Officer exam was given; 1972 : Security and Peace Officers were included in the Education Law
; 1974 : First arming program conducted at University at Albany
; 1975 : Task force for Public Safety recommends move from Education Law to Penal Law
; 1980 : The omnibus Peace Officer Bill was signed putting Public Safety Officer/University Police in the Criminal Procedure Law.
; 1986 : R. Bruce McBride appointed as Director of Public Safety
; 1995 : New York State University Police name proposed
; 1999 : January 1: SUNY Public Safety officers gain Police Officer status
Rank Insignia
Operational overview
University Police Officers receive their official powers through Education Law and Criminal Procedure law. These laws authorize University Police Officers to make warrantless arrests based on probable cause, to use appropriate force in making an arrest, to issue uniform appearance tickets and traffic summons and to execute arrest and bench warrants. For minor offenses, officers can use discretion to refer students to the college judicial board instead of pursuing an arrest. Officers have the option of referring arrested students to the college judiciary system.Operational unit
University Police Communications and Security Specialist 1 provide communications, security, and public safety serviceswithin a 24/7 operation in the University Police Department at the campuses of the State University of New York. These positions will
require working during various shifts. Their primary responsibility is to function as a desk officer, including communication
activities such as dispatching and using various databases, online systems, and multiple video sources. University Police
Communications and Security Specialist 1 are required to wear uniforms. Where appropriate, they also may perform patrol duties and
assist University Police Officers.
Security Services Assistant The primary duties of Security Services Assistants is building security however they may also be assigned posts to assist with traffic management, event management and other duties as assigned consistent with their job description. As they move about the campus the SSAs are the "eyes and ears" of the department and are responsible to relay any unusual activity they observe to dispatch.
SUNY Police bill
On July 22, 1998, the SUNY Police bill was signed by Governor George Pataki. This bill provided for the creation of the New York State University Police. One clause requires each campus president to enter into a "mutual aid" agreement with adjoining police agencies.Training
New trainees are trained at regional academies located in the area in which they are stationed. For each campus, the number of officers varies as a function of geographic size as well as the population.Training for new officers meets or exceeds the "New York State Department of Criminal Justice Standards for Police Officers". The "Police Officer Basic Course" covers the traditional, fundamental law-enforcement realms, including:
After completion of this course-based training, each new officer completes a minimum twelve-week on-the-job training supervised by a Field Training Officer from their respective campus. Further training can be added. For example, the emergence of more-recent modern threats such as active shooters has resulted in a college-by-college approach for response protocols, along with additional training, preparatory measures, and coordination with local law-enforcement agencies.
Specialized units
Depending on location and training, officers can be selected for specialized units that allow the agency to better serve the community. Some of these units include:- Police Bike Patrol Unit
- Firearms Training Unit
- Crime Prevention/Education Unit
- K-9 Unit
- Crime Scene Unit
- Civil Disturbance Response Unit
- Honor Guard
- Rape Aggression Defense Class Instructor Unit
- Mounted Unit
- Division of Protective Operations
Recent developments
In 2010, the New York State University Police at Stony Brook University became the second in the New York State University Police system to become an accredited law enforcement agency by the New York State Department of Criminal Justice services. The accreditation shows that the department exceeds the standards required to be a law enforcement agency in the state of New York. Fewer than half of the law enforcement agencies in New York meet accreditation requirements.NYSUP union President James McCartney testified in 2007 before the state Senate Higher Education Committeeand, again in 2008, to the SUNY Board of Trustees. His testimony discussed what he claimed to be a dysfunctional, decentralized command system and ongoing staffing, equipment, and training deficiencies. McCartney also expressed concern about the "top-heavy" UPD Chief staff, noting its sixty-five management positions, compared to a combined total of twenty-four across other state law enforcement agencies.
Underreporting/misreporting
A 2007 investigative audit by the New York State Comptroller found that the majority of SUNY campuses had, in violation of the Federal Clery Act, underreported crimes and failed to disclose required safety and security policies.Following the arrest in 2009 of three SUNY Geneseo students in relation to the death of a nineteen-year-old student, it was revealed that the New York State Inspector General was investigating the incident. Investigators appeared to be focusing the accuracy of crime reporting and on allegations that the police administration was not notifying neighboring agencies of students engaging in off-campus criminal activity.
The audit of SUNY compliance with the Clery act was appealed because of complaints that "accounting tricks" were used to find fault with Annual Security Reports by the Office of the State Comptroller. After much discussion and negotiation, OSC issued a formal letter that stated that any discrepancies reported in an earlier audit had been corrected by SUNY, and that campuses were substantially in compliance.