Senator Dale M. Volker Passes Legislation To Grant Peace Officer Status To Erie County Medical Center Security Officers

(Albany, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-I-C, Depew) today passed legislation (S.2545), which would grant peace officer status to the security officers of the Erie County Medical Center.

"Security Officers at the Erie County Medical Center are some of the best trained non-police officers in western New York," said Senator Dale M. Volker. "With the declining numbers of police officers in the City of Buffalo, due to budget cuts, it is even more significant to give additional authority to these trained security personnel. As an added bonus, there is no additional costs to local governments or the Erie County Medical Center."

Peace officer status will provide Security Officers of Erie County Medical Center with more capability in protecting county property and the safety of patients, visitors and employees. It will allow them to perform "Warrantless" searches where there is "probable cause and reasonable belief," without having to place suspected individuals under citizens arrest. A citizens arrest requires involvement of the Buffalo Police Department and ties up a security officer for hours in the process. Currently there is no protection for the officer who places a person under citizens arrest.

Recently, Erie County Medical Center Security officers have been helpless in approaching individuals known to have stolen hospital property, or in approaching obvious psychotic, alcoholic and drug abuse patients who need physician care, but refuse. This legislation will authorize security officers to detain these individuals for further police or physician attention. Peace officer status also protects the security officer by providing a more serious charge against persons intending to injure a peace officer. It will also enable ECMC security officers to take special training courses which will enhance their capabilities and provide a better service to all. The change will not affect job descriptions or require increased salary levels, nor will it require any necessity to increase the number of officers that work per shift.

This legislation is sponsored in the State Assembly by Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples.

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