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A 10029

Grants peace officer status to uniformed court officers of the village of Dobbs Ferry in Westchester County

2025 Regular Session Introduced by MaryJane Shimsky

Grants peace officer status to uniformed village court officers in Dobbs Ferry, enabling them to enforce court rules, secure proceedings, and exercise related arrest powers.

PRINT NUMBER 10029A
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Bill Summary · A 10029

Bill Summary: A 10029 (2025-2026) – Grants Peace Officer Status to Uniformed Court Officers of the Village of Dobbs Ferry

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: New York State
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Title: Grants peace officer status to uniformed court officers of the Village of Dobbs Ferry in Westchester County
  • Sponsor: Catherine Nolan (primary) with co-sponsor MaryJane Shimsky
  • Current Action History:
    • 2026-01-30: Referred to Codes
    • 2026-04-28: Amend and Recommit to Codes
    • 2026-04-28: Print Number 10029A

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to grant peace officer status to uniformed court officers employed by the Village of Dobbs Ferry (Westchester County). This designation typically provides broader authority, training requirements, and statutory protections that align court-related security personnel with other sworn law enforcement roles. The change is intended to enhance security, order, and safety within village court operations and potentially surrounding areas.

Key Provisions (as typically included in similar legislation)

  • Authority and Status: Uniformed court officers would be recognized as peace officers under New York law, enabling them to perform activities such as enforcing court rules, maintaining security, and making arrests for offenses committed on village court premises or as allowed by law.
  • Training and Certification: Likely requirement for appropriate training programs (police academy standards, ongoing professional development, use-of-force policies, firearms where applicable, and supervisory oversight). The specific training curriculum and certification timeline would be defined in the bill or by reference to existing peace officer standards.
  • Duties and Powers: Expanded powers may include protective details for court personnel and facilities, traffic or crowd control around court operations, and the ability to issue summons or make arrests for offenses encountered in or around court premises or designated areas.
  • Oversight and Compliance: Provisions for supervision, reporting, internal affairs, and compliance with state laws governing peace officers, including use-of-force, civilian review where applicable, and career progression.
  • Benefits and Employment Terms: Any changes to employment terms, such as salaries, benefits, pension eligibility, and eligibility for state-provided equipment or resources, aligned with other peace officers in the state.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Uniformed court officers employed by the Village of Dobbs Ferry
  • Secondary: The Village court system, prosecutors, the Dobbs Ferry police department (potential coordination), court security operations, and residents appearing in or around the village court
  • State and Local Government: New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services (or the relevant state agency overseeing peace officer standards) may administer or oversee training and certification requirements. Village governance would implement local policies consistent with the act.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Legislative Path: Referred to the Codes Committee (01/30/2026) with subsequent amendments and recommitment (04/28/2026). Likely to proceed through standard Codes committee review, with potential floor consideration after committee action.
  • Effective Date: Bills granting new status to local court officers typically include a specified effective date upon enactment or a phased implementation schedule. Details would be in the final bill text.
  • Phased Implementation: If enacted, there may be a transition period for training, certification, and integration into state peace officer frameworks.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Security Enhancement: Potential improvement in security and order within the village court complex and vicinity.
  • Interagency Coordination: Clarification of roles between village court officers, local police, and other security personnel; possible changes to arrest authority and jurisdictional boundaries.
  • Training Burden: Requires investment in training and compliance to meet peace officer standards.
  • Community Impacts: May affect court operations, response times, and safety for court staff and visitors.

Note

This summary reflects typical elements of a bill by this title and the stated action history. For precise language, specific sections, definitions, and any fiscal implications, review the bill’s text (including the amended version A 10029A) when publicly available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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