BILL NUMBER: S308
SPONSOR: RHOADS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to allowing members of the
Nassau County auxiliary police force to possess a police baton when
authorized by the police commissioner of such county
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision b of section 265.20 of the
penal law, by adding "or the county of Nassau".
Section 2 of the bill provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Presently, Nassau County does not have the authority to equip and allow
its auxiliary police officers to possess police batons. Its auxiliary
police officers may only possess police batons during training "drills"
or when acting as "peace officers" during a declared emergency pursuant
to New York State Defense Emergency Act (Unconsolidated Laws, Chapter
131, Sec 20 - 33. Over the years, the role of the Nassau County auxilia-
ry police force has expanded beyond their civil defense duties. They
routinely engage in public safety activities such as patrolling the
streets and assisting with public events. Their importance as the "eyes
and ears" of the police department cannot be overstated. The inability
to deploy auxiliary police officers without a rudimentary self-defense
tool such as the police baton would hamper Nassau County's ability to
recruit and retain qualified individuals for such public service.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal costs to state and local government
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law.