New York City Sheriff's Office
Encyclopedia
The New York City Sheriff's Office is the civil law enforcement division
of the New York City Department of Finance
. The Sheriff's office is headed by a sheriff, who is appointed to the position by the mayor
, unlike most sheriffs in New York State
who are elected officials. Deputy sheriffs carry out the duties of the sheriff's office.
The New York City sheriff is the chief civil law enforcement officer for the city of New York. Responsibilities of deputy sheriffs include revenue collections in civil situations; collecting funds or making arrests for parents in arrears of child-support payments; and collecting on judicial judgments, and parking or moving violations. They handle enforcement judgments for both small claims
and supreme court
(criminal court). Such responsibilities may involve collection of unpaid taxes, enforcement of unpaid environmental fines, seizure of property and eviction
s. The sheriff also may sell real estate
and personal property
to satisfy judgments, and perform civil arrests. The sheriff's office has also become involved with cigarette-tax enforcement as well as assisting the NYC Department of Buildings in enforcing stop work orders. In addition, the sheriff sells vehicles not recovered by their owners, checks towed vehicles to determine if they are stolen, and enforces court judgments through a variety of programs.
took over responsibility for criminal investigations. The New York City sheriffs were responsible for running the correctional facilities in their counties until 1942, when the New York City Department of Correction
was established.
The current sheriff is Edgar A. Domenech. He was appointed to the position of sheriff by mayor Michael Bloomberg
in January 2011. Sheriff Domenech is a retired Deputy Director from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
after 26 years of service.
, correction officer, court officer, investigator
, lawyer
, and auctioneer all in one day. Because of the diversity in tasks a deputy sheriff must face, the requirements for deputy sheriff are one of the most stringent in comparison with other law enforcement positions available in the city and state.
In order to be hired, candidates must first pass a civil service
entrance examination and meet strong educational requirements.
Deputy sheriffs assigned to this unit perform patrol functions, searching the city streets with court mandates in order to seize vehicles for unpaid parking and moving violations, and issuing summonses to vehicles in violation of New York City traffic ordinances and New York State vehicle and traffic laws. This unit provides a law enforcement presence on the city streets, and the public calls upon them to help preserve order. This assistance can include: summoning emergency medical service; preventing and terminating crimes in progress or about to be committed; and any other peacekeeping function necessary to maintain law and order.
Deputy sheriffs assigned to this unit serve legal process such as summons
es and subpoena
s for family court offenses as well as arresting and jailing individuals pursuant to family court warrants of arrest and commitment. In addition, the warrants unit is sometimes called upon by other units to assist in arrests of a difficult or dangerous nature.
, named after Kendra Webdale, who was pushed onto the subway tracks by a mentally ill man in 1999. Kendra's law provides a procedure for the removal of a patient, subject to a court order, to a hospital for evaluation and observation. In cases where the patient fails to comply with the ordered treatment and poses risk of harm, this unit will locate, detain, and transport the patient.
s authorized to make warrantless arrests, carry and use handcuffs
, carry and use a firearm
, use physical and deadly force, and issue summons
es. Per the Criminal Procedure Law, deputies have peace officer status on and off duty.
Deputy sheriffs are equipped with a firearm
, can of pepper spray
, expandable baton, handcuffs
, and a flashlight
.
Currently, the sheriff's office vehicle fleet is made up of Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
s, Vans, and Nissan Altimas, that are painted white with blue and gold decals. Their older vehicles have red decals and will be in service for the near future. They also use unmarked police cars of various models.
.
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
of the New York City Department of Finance
New York City Department of Finance
The New York City Department of Finance is the local taxation agency of New York City. The New York City Sheriff's Office is its civil enforcement arm.-Mission statement:The Department's primary operational goals are:...
. The Sheriff's office is headed by a sheriff, who is appointed to the position by the mayor
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
, unlike most sheriffs in New York State
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
who are elected officials. Deputy sheriffs carry out the duties of the sheriff's office.
The New York City sheriff is the chief civil law enforcement officer for the city of New York. Responsibilities of deputy sheriffs include revenue collections in civil situations; collecting funds or making arrests for parents in arrears of child-support payments; and collecting on judicial judgments, and parking or moving violations. They handle enforcement judgments for both small claims
Small claims court
Small-claims courts have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases between private litigants. Courts authorized to try small claims may also have other judicial functions, and the name by which such a court is known varies by jurisdiction; it may be known as a county or magistrate's court...
and supreme court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
(criminal court). Such responsibilities may involve collection of unpaid taxes, enforcement of unpaid environmental fines, seizure of property and eviction
Eviction
How you doing???? Eviction is the removal of a tenant from rental property by the landlord. Depending on the laws of the jurisdiction, eviction may also be known as unlawful detainer, summary possession, summary dispossess, forcible detainer, ejectment, and repossession, among other terms...
s. The sheriff also may sell real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
and personal property
Personal property
Personal property, roughly speaking, is private property that is moveable, as opposed to real property or real estate. In the common law systems personal property may also be called chattels or personalty. In the civil law systems personal property is often called movable property or movables - any...
to satisfy judgments, and perform civil arrests. The sheriff's office has also become involved with cigarette-tax enforcement as well as assisting the NYC Department of Buildings in enforcing stop work orders. In addition, the sheriff sells vehicles not recovered by their owners, checks towed vehicles to determine if they are stolen, and enforces court judgments through a variety of programs.
History
The New York City Sheriff's Office was created in 1626. The sheriff in each borough was the law enforcement agency with the widest jurisdiction until the New York City consolidation in 1898 when the New York City Police DepartmentNew York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
took over responsibility for criminal investigations. The New York City sheriffs were responsible for running the correctional facilities in their counties until 1942, when the New York City Department of Correction
New York City Department of Correction
The New York City Department of Correction is responsible for New York City's inmates, housing the majority of them on Rikers Island. It employs 9,500 uniformed officers and 1,400 civilian staff, has 543 vehicles, and processes over 100,000 new inmates every year, retaining a population of inmates...
was established.
Chain of Command
The sheriff's office has a chain of command that is similar to that of police departments and military organizations:| Title | Insignia | Uniform Shirt Color |
|---|---|---|
| Sheriff |  |
|
| First Deputy Sheriff |  |
|
| Chief of Staff | |
|
| Undersheriff |  |
|
| Lieutenant |  |
|
| Sergeant | ||
| Deputy Sheriff |  |
The current sheriff is Edgar A. Domenech. He was appointed to the position of sheriff by mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
in January 2011. Sheriff Domenech is a retired Deputy Director from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
after 26 years of service.
Diversity of work performed
All law enforcement duties executed in the name of the sheriff are performed by deputy sheriffs. Because of the highly diverse law enforcement duties deputy sheriffs encounter, deputy sheriffs are cross trained in many areas of criminal law and civil law. The deputy sheriff can be considered the "jack of all trades" law enforcement officer. It is not unusual for a deputy sheriff to perform work similar to a police officerPolice officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
, correction officer, court officer, investigator
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
, lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, and auctioneer all in one day. Because of the diversity in tasks a deputy sheriff must face, the requirements for deputy sheriff are one of the most stringent in comparison with other law enforcement positions available in the city and state.
In order to be hired, candidates must first pass a civil service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
entrance examination and meet strong educational requirements.
County Field Offices
By law, the sheriff must maintain an office in each of the five counties of New York City. Deputy sheriffs assigned to these offices perform a variety of tasks such as executing arrest process (such as warrants of arrest), orders to commit, and mental hygiene warrants. Deputies also execute eviction process, service process, and the enforcement, seizure, and sale of property pursuant to judicial mandates. The county offices function like a police precinct, giving citizens of the county a local place to file court process in need of enforcement.Patrol Unit
Warrants Unit
Summons
Legally, a summons is a legal document issued by a court or by an administrative agency of government for various purposes.-Judicial summons:...
es and subpoena
Subpoena
A subpoena is a writ by a government agency, most often a court, that has authority to compel testimony by a witness or production of evidence under a penalty for failure. There are two common types of subpoena:...
s for family court offenses as well as arresting and jailing individuals pursuant to family court warrants of arrest and commitment. In addition, the warrants unit is sometimes called upon by other units to assist in arrests of a difficult or dangerous nature.
Mental Health Enforcement Unit (aka Kendra's Unit)
This unit enforces Kendra's LawKendra's Law
Kendra's Law, effective since November 1999, is a New York State law concerning involuntary outpatient commitment. It grants judges the authority to issue orders that require people who meet certain criteria to regularly undergo psychiatric treatment. Failure to comply could result in commitment...
, named after Kendra Webdale, who was pushed onto the subway tracks by a mentally ill man in 1999. Kendra's law provides a procedure for the removal of a patient, subject to a court order, to a hospital for evaluation and observation. In cases where the patient fails to comply with the ordered treatment and poses risk of harm, this unit will locate, detain, and transport the patient.
Auto Theft Unit
This unit works in conjunction with the patrol unit identifying stolen cars seized by the sheriff. This unit also works closely with the various district attorney's offices in other counties outside New York City in making arrests and combating automobile theft. In 2006, the New York City Sheriff's office recovered more stolen automobiles than any other law enforcement agency in New York State.Auction Unit
This unit conducts judicial sales of vehicles seized by the sheriff. Deputies maintain order at large sales where hundreds of bidders may be present, and they safeguard and protect property seized, and proceeds.Seizure Unit
Deputy sheriffs in this unit conduct high profile investigations and property seizures under court order. Businesses and individuals that owe the city money pursuant to unpaid city tax warrants, environmental control board summons, and fire and health code violations and fines, are targeted for enforcement action by this unit.Power and Authority
Deputy sheriffs are New York State peace officerPeace officer
A law enforcement officer , in North America, is any public-sector employee or agent whose duties involve the enforcement of laws. The phrase can include police officers, prison officers, customs officers, immigration officers, bailiffs, probation officers, parole officers, auxiliary officers, and...
s authorized to make warrantless arrests, carry and use handcuffs
Handcuffs
Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...
, carry and use a firearm
Firearm
A firearm is a weapon that launches one, or many, projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant. This subsonic burning process is technically known as deflagration, as opposed to supersonic combustion known as a detonation. In older firearms, the propellant was typically...
, use physical and deadly force, and issue summons
Summons
Legally, a summons is a legal document issued by a court or by an administrative agency of government for various purposes.-Judicial summons:...
es. Per the Criminal Procedure Law, deputies have peace officer status on and off duty.
Equipment, Uniforms, and Vehicles
Deputy sheriffs wear a navy blue shirt, navy blue pants, and a 8-point hat when in patrol uniform. They wear a navy blue shirt, navy blue pants, a navy blue serge jacket, and a navy blue stetson when in class A uniform.Deputy sheriffs are equipped with a firearm
Firearm
A firearm is a weapon that launches one, or many, projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant. This subsonic burning process is technically known as deflagration, as opposed to supersonic combustion known as a detonation. In older firearms, the propellant was typically...
, can of pepper spray
Pepper spray
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
, expandable baton, handcuffs
Handcuffs
Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...
, and a flashlight
Flashlight
A flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...
.
Currently, the sheriff's office vehicle fleet is made up of Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
Though the name has been officially in use since 1992, the 1978–1991 full-size LTDs and LTD Crown Victorias and 1992 updated body style used the "P72" production code designation for both fleet/taxi and police models, with the model itself being internally classified as S...
s, Vans, and Nissan Altimas, that are painted white with blue and gold decals. Their older vehicles have red decals and will be in service for the near future. They also use unmarked police cars of various models.
Service Pistol
Deputy sheriffs are authorized to carry the 9mm Glock 19 as their service pistolService pistol
A service pistol is any handgun issued to military personnel.Typically service pistols are revolvers or semi-automatic pistols issued to officers, non-commissioned officers and rear-echelon support personnel for self defense, though service pistols may also be issued to special forces as a backup...
.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the sheriff’s offices in the 5 counties of New York City, 6 deputies have died in the line of duty.| Officer | Department | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deputy Sheriff Henry Wendelstorf | Queens County Sheriff's Department, NY | |
Assault |
| Sheriff Paul Stier | Queens County Sheriff's Department, NY | |
Gunfire |
| Keeper Morris Broderson | Bronx County Sheriff's Office, NY | |
Gunfire |
| Keeper Daniel D. Horgan | Bronx County Sheriff's Office, NY | |
Gunfire |
| Deputy Sheriff John T. Miller | Queens County Sheriff's Department, NY | |
Automobile accident |
| Deputy Sheriff Fred D'Amore | Queens County Sheriff's Department, NY | |
Automobile accident |
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in New York
- Law enforcement in New York CityLaw enforcement in New York CityLaw enforcement in New York City is carried out by numerous law enforcement agencies. New York City has the highest concentration of law enforcement agencies in the United States. As with the rest of the US, agencies operate at federal and state levels. However, New York City's unique nature means...
- SheriffSheriffA sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....