Public Safety (Brookhaven, Islip, Nassau: crimes, felony, employment)

[thebobs]

Heading westbound one the LIE I passed two cop cars in the median each pointed the other way talking to each other and just about 1000 feet further west of that, I saw public safety had someone pulled over with lights flashing. I couldn't see if the car that was pulled over was empty or someone was in it, but that struck me as odd. Over the years I have seen public safety driving around but never ever seen one with its lights on, much less have someone pulled over.

So I'm curious to know what their jurisdiction is and can they pull someone over and make an arrest?

[WIHS2006]

I believe they only have jurisdiction on town property or immediately adjacent. They are also unarmed but can make arrests, traffic stops, etc.

Each of the 10 towns in Suffolk also have Park Rangers and Marine Patrol officers/Bay Constables. Islip Town also has the LIMA Airport Police in addition to Park Rangers, Marine Patrol, and Public Safety. Not sure about Nassau.

[scottzilla]

Originally Posted by WIHS2006

I believe they only have jurisdiction on town property or immediately adjacent. They are also unarmed but can make arrests, traffic stops, etc.

Each of the 10 towns in Suffolk also have Park Rangers and Marine Patrol officers/Bay Constables. Islip Town also has the LIMA Airport Police in addition to Park Rangers, Marine Patrol, and Public Safety. Not sure about Nassau.

Park Rangers have the same authority as Suffolk Sheriff's/SCPD. Matter of fact, they are hired off of the same list. Marine Patrol/Bay Constables also have the same authority as Sheriffs/SCPD.
I am not familar with County public safety employees but Brookhaven town's version have virtually no power.
Park Rangers & Marine Patrol officers can actually pull a vehicle over and issue the driver a summons if they wish. I have no idea how common this is though.
I'm not sure about the authority of the Airport Police.

[LifeInLI]

They were most likely just checking on an abandoned vehicle. You will see them do this from time to time.

[dman72]

Originally Posted by thebobs

Heading westbound one the LIE I passed two cop cars in the median each pointed the other way talking to each other and just about 1000 feet further west of that, I saw public safety had someone pulled over with lights flashing. I couldn't see if the car that was pulled over was empty or someone was in it, but that struck me as odd. Over the years I have seen public safety driving around but never ever seen one with its lights on, much less have someone pulled over.

So I'm curious to know what their jurisdiction is and can they pull someone over and make an arrest?

As far as I know public safety doesn't have the authority to pull anyone over. They can issue you a ticket for parking illegally or something like that, but I was pretty sure they didn't make arrests.

[WIHS2006]

Yeah, I am not sure whether the OP is talking about township public safety departments or the NCPD public safety officers (who are civilian employees like the ambulance technicians).

[thebobs]

Originally Posted by WIHS2006

Yeah, I am not sure whether the OP is talking about township public safety departments or the NCPD public safety officers (who are civilian employees like the ambulance technicians).

I was in Suffolk County when I passed the guy. But I couldn't make out if he was from a certain town or not.

[Bisket721]

Originally Posted by scottzilla

Park Rangers have the same authority as Suffolk Sheriff's/SCPD. Matter of fact, they are hired off of the same list. Marine Patrol/Bay Constables also have the same authority as Sheriffs/SCPD.
I am not familar with County public safety employees but Brookhaven town's version have virtually no power.
Park Rangers & Marine Patrol officers can actually pull a vehicle over and issue the driver a summons if they wish. I have no idea how common this is though.
I'm not sure about the authority of the Airport Police.

Hope fully I can clear this up :

1. Suffolk County Park Rangers do not have the same authority as SCPD or Suffolk Sheriffs.

2. They are not hired off the same list. In fact SCPD is one list and Sheriff is another. Both are 2 seperate test.

3. Suffolk County Park POLICE, have full police powers but only in the geographical area of employment . That means that they can issue summons and conduct traffic stops in Suffolk County Parks. They have other powers when it comes to crimes (Felony & Misdemeanor).

4. Suffolk County Park Rangers have no police powers. They are considered peace officers, not police officers. That means they can only do any enforcement at a Suffolk County Park.

5. No Town Public Safety officer can conduct a traffic stop on a public roadway. There only powers are to enforce town laws, not NYS vehicle and traffic violations.

6. Are you sure if was a Public Safety vehicle that was behind the vehicle on the LIE? There are alot of police agencies that travel the LIE that can conduct traffic stops : NYS police, NYS Park Police, SCPD, Suffolk Sheriff, MTA police, NCPD, etc.

7. Hope that kinda helps explain the differences between all the agencies.

[scottzilla]

Originally Posted by Bisket721

Hope fully I can clear this up :

1. Suffolk County Park Rangers do not have the same authority as SCPD or Suffolk Sheriffs.

2. They are not hired off the same list. In fact SCPD is one list and Sheriff is another. Both are 2 seperate test.

3. Suffolk County Park POLICE, have full police powers but only in the geographical area of employment . That means that they can issue summons and conduct traffic stops in Suffolk County Parks. They have other powers when it comes to crimes (Felony & Misdemeanor).

4. Suffolk County Park Rangers have no police powers. They are considered peace officers, not police officers. That means they can only do any enforcement at a Suffolk County Park.

5. No Town Public Safety officer can conduct a traffic stop on a public roadway. There only powers are to enforce town laws, not NYS vehicle and traffic violations.

6. Are you sure if was a Public Safety vehicle that was behind the vehicle on the LIE? There are alot of police agencies that travel the LIE that can conduct traffic stops : NYS police, NYS Park Police, SCPD, Suffolk Sheriff, MTA police, NCPD, etc.

7. Hope that kinda helps explain the differences between all the agencies.

Ref #1 & #2 above, when I took the test it was Deputy "Sheriff/Park Ranger 1". I scored an 89 but they only hired 11 people. It was explained to me at the time that a Park Ranger would be moved in to a Sheriff job if need be (For example, massive budget cuts, etc).
I guess at some point this changed? I recall Sheriff's were considered Peace Officers and the union fought on their behalf to become Police officers (More money).
This is why I thought the Park Rangers became Police Officers like the Sheriffs.

Ref #4, I was pulled over on my motorcycle on River Road by a SC Park Ranger (I passed him on a double yellow). You may note River Road borders Southaven Park. He was driving an UNMARKED car. That's why I passed him. He ran me but didn't write me. This was aprox 10 years ago. I suppose despite not being on park property I fell in to his realm of enforcement.
The SC Park Rangers do DWI checkpoints at Smith Point Beach all the time.

[thebobs]

Originally Posted by Bisket721

6. Are you sure if was a Public Safety vehicle that was behind the vehicle on the LIE? There are alot of police agencies that travel the LIE that can conduct traffic stops : NYS police, NYS Park Police, SCPD, Suffolk Sheriff, MTA police, NCPD, etc.

100% sure. The sign on the drivers door had "Public Safety" in big letters, but below it in smaller letters was something else. That I couldn't make out as I was driving past and trying to watch the road at the same time.