The New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police is a volunteer reserve police force which is a subdivision of the Patrol Services Bureau of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Auxiliary Police Officers assist the NYPD with uniformed patrols, providing traffic control, crowd control, and other services during major events.

Over 4,500 Auxiliary Police officers contribute over one million hours of service each year. The NYPD Auxiliary Police program is the largest Auxiliary Police program in the United States.

Ranks There are seven titles (referred to as ranks) in the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police:

TitleInsigniaShieldUniform Shirt ColorAuxiliary Deputy Chief WhiteAuxiliary Inspector WhiteAuxiliary Deputy Inspector WhiteAuxiliary Captain WhiteAuxiliary Lieutenant WhiteAuxiliary Sergeant Dark BlueAuxiliary Police Officer Dark Blue

History The precursors to the Auxiliary Police were organized primarily during times of war when police officers were drafted into service, leaving the city with a diminished police force.

The Home Defense League was established in New York City in 1916 under Police Commissioner Arthur Woods to supplement the police force. Many police officers had joined the armed forces as the war in Europe progressed. Citizens volunteered to enroll in the Home Defense League to aid police in patrolling duties and be on hand in case of emergencies. In a matter of months, 22,000 people had volunteered for the Home Defense League. They were required to attend trainings on handling prisoners, protecting themselves, and using weapons. They received no pay. If the need arose (as it did in 1917 when armed forces were mobilized), they could be called into service to guard armories, subway stations, and other areas of the city.

In 1918, the Home Defense League changed its name to the New York Reserve Police Force, as proposed by Commissioner Richard Enright, in addition to undergoing higher-caliber training under Special Deputy Police Commissioner Lewis Rodman Wanamaker. Over 3,000 women joined the Police Reserve, serving under Captain Mary Noonan, primarily to provide eyes and ears for the police, look out for children's safety, and give first aid if necessary. Governor Alfred E. Smith signed a new state law in 1920 that established the permanency of a reserve force as an adjunct of the police department. By the mid-1920s, however, the Police Reserve had gradually stopped functioning as an active part of the Police Department, due to political disputes in a high-crime period. The Reserve was formally disbanded in 1934.

During World War II, the need for a reserve force briefly returned. The City Patrol Corps was organized in 1942 to assist police in patrol work; over 4,500 men and women volunteered. By war's end in 1945, the corps was disbanded, but the city continued to maintain a volunteer police unit.

In 1950, the 81st Congress of the United States of America passed the Public Law #920, entitled "The Civil Defense Act of 1950," authorizing a Federal Civil Defense Program. In 1951, the New York State Legislature enacted the "Defense Emergency Act" requiring New York City to recruit, train, and equip volunteer Civil Defense wardens, who would provide traffic and crowd control and other assistance to police officers in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

The New York Penal Law provided peace officer status for the Civil Defense wardens during the event of an actual natural or man-made disaster or attack or during training drills. In 1967, a Mayoral Executive Order closed the Civil Defense Headquarters and placed full responsibility of the Civil Defense wardens with the NYPD. The NYPD retitled the division Auxiliary Police, changed the uniform to reflect police officer uniforms, and revised the duties of Auxiliary Police. During the 1960s when crime was on the rise, uniformed Auxiliary Police patrols were one means to deter crime.

Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, the role of the NYPD Auxiliary Police expanded significantly. Auxiliary officers were increasingly deployed at transportation hubs, public gatherings, and critical infrastructure sites to supplement visible police presence and assist with public safety operations during heightened counterterrorism efforts throughout New York City.

On March 14, 2007, around 9 p.m., a 42-year-old man named David Garvin, armed with two semi-automatic handguns and carrying 100 rounds of ammunition, entered De Marco's Pizzeria on Macdougal and West Houston Street. Garvin asked 33-year-old Alfredo Romero for a menu, and when he turned his back shot him 15 times. After killing Romero, Garvin fled the scene. Unarmed NYPD Auxiliary officers Yevgeniy Marshalik and Nicholas Pekearo begin chasing Garvin. Surveillance video shows when the chase reached Sullivan Street, Garvin fatally shot Pekearo as he ducked behind a vehicle. He then ran in the opposite direction and fatally shot Marshalik in the head. Garvin then ran into a nearby shop, then came out, pointing his gun at armed NYPD officers, and was fatally shot numerous times. Police later recovered a Taurus .357 Magnum revolver from Garvin's apartment. After the shooting, Margie De Marco, the owner of De Marco's Pizzeria, closed the pizzeria.

On March 20, 2020, the NYPD suspended the Auxiliary Police unit due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Training and authority

Auxiliary Police recruits must pass an 18-week, 140 hour "Auxiliary Police Basic Training Course".

Auxiliary recruits are required by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council to undergo and pass this training course before they become Auxiliary Police officers. The training given in this course includes training in penal law, police science, discipline, radio use, defensive tactics, unarmed self-defense, self-defense with a straight wood baton, physical training, chemical training, first aid, handcuffing techniques, and arrest procedures.

In 2008, the NYPD was mandated by the state to increase the hours of training and the training was revised to include training in location and use of pressure points, dealing with domestic violence situations, firearm safety, and terrorism awareness. A written and physical exam is given at the end of training.

Upon the completion of the Basic Training Course, the physical exam, and the written exam, probationary Auxiliary Police officers receive a peace officer training certificate from the NYS Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC) and are issued their shield and police identification card along with their baton and initial uniform allowance voucher.

Probationary Auxiliary Police officers must patrol with a field training officer.

All Auxiliary Police officers are listed in the NYS registry of peace officers and are required by New York State to pass an annual refresher course in the use of force with the straight baton, arrest procedures, and law in order to maintain their status as Auxiliary Police Officers and to maintain their NYS MPTC peace officer training certificate.

Auxiliary Police officers are considered limited function Peace Officers by the NYS MPTC when granted the authority by the police commissioner under §2.20 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law.

Auxiliary police officers are permitted to effect arrests in limited circumstances and are permitted by law to carry the tools to aid them in making arrests (handcuffs). NYPD Auxiliary Police officers are included in the "fellow officer rule" which allows an officer to rely upon information supplied by fellow officers when making an arrest. The Court of Appeals’ decision in The People of the State of New York vs Wilfredo Rosario in October 1991 affirmed that the "fellow officer" rule applies to NYPD auxiliary police officers. (Reference source: Court of Appeals decision in The People of New York State vs Wilfredo Rosario) October 1991)

Although volunteers, Auxiliary Police officers are city employees while on duty and are eligible for Workers' Compensation in the event of injury while on duty.

Auxiliary Police officers must purchase and maintain equipment at their own expense. Officers who work the minimum required hours per fiscal year receive an annual uniform allowance check to help pay for new and replacement equipment and uniforms.

Laws

Auxiliary Police officers may carry and use straight wood batons Auxiliary Police officers may carry and use handcuff (optional) restraints both on and off duty in accordance with NYC Administrative Code 10–147 Auxiliary Police officers may physically detain violators of Misdemeanors and Felonies under the State of New York Civil Defense Act Article # 8 Section # 105 Auxiliary Police officers injured while on duty are provided Workers Compensation under NYC Administrative Code Section 14-147 of chapter 1 of title 14 Auxiliary Police officers receive an annual uniform allowance in accordance with the NYC Administrative Code Section 14–148 Auxiliary Police officers can use physical and deadly force to make an arrest, or when a person uses physical or deadly force against an officer or a third person in accordance with the NYPD Auxiliary training manual. NYPD Auxiliary Police officers are included in the "fellow officer rule" which allows an officer to rely upon information supplied by fellow officers when making an arrest. The Court of Appeals’ decision in The People of the State of New York vs Wilfredo Rosario in October 1991 affirmed that the "fellow officer" rule applies to NYPD auxiliary police officers. (Reference source: Court of Appeals decision in The People of New York State vs Wilfredo Rosario) October 1991)

Duties

Auxiliary Police officers duties fall into four broad categories: Daily patrol of assigned sectors within their respective precinct, transit district, housing area or specialized unit coverage area. Provide additional uniform police presence at parks, playgrounds, pools, street fairs, flea markets, block parties, shopping areas, subway entrances and exits, and school/church crossings. Assist with vehicular and pedestrian traffic at parades, marathons, concerts, intersections with broken traffic lights, accident scenes, and fire scenes. Assist in Precinct Identification Programs, Combat Auto Theft Program, Bicycle ID Program, Operation ID Program, Kid Care Program, and VIN Etching Program.

Auxiliary Police officers increase the public's perception of police "omnipresence" by patrolling in police cars and on foot. The police cars, known in the NYPD as Radio Motor Patrols (or simply "RMPs"), are white with blue decals, the same as regular NYPD police cars. The word "AUXILIARY" is placed on the trunk, hood, and front and rear side panels of the vehicles with a red underline.

Auxiliary Police Officers are equipped with straight wood batons when assigned to normal patrol, ASP batons (when assigned to bicycle patrol), bullet resistant vests, police radios directly linked to the Central Dispatcher, flashlights; whistles, handcuffs, notebooks, and reflective traffic vests.

With the exception of their badges, which are seven-point stars, in contrast to the shield worn by regular Police Officers, Auxiliary Police officers wear virtually the same uniform as regular officers.Auxiliary Police Badge Additionally, Auxiliary Police Officers wear the regular NYPD patch on both shoulders with a scroll saying "AUXILIARY" on top.

Auxiliary Police officers in New York City are not permitted to carry a sidearm at any time on duty, even if independently licensed to carry a firearm. In other jurisdictions within New York State, some police departments do allow their Auxiliary Police Officers to carry a firearm.