RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP NORMAN, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS PINEDA-ISAAC, DIAZ, AND HODGES:
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RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION DESIGNATING INVESTIGATORS EMPLOYED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL OF THE CITY OF YONKERS AS PEACE OFFICERS
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WHEREAS, Investigators employed by the Office of the Corporation Counsel perform specialized investigative and enforcement-related duties in support of the City’s legal, regulatory, and administrative responsibilities, including service of legal process, compliance investigations, evidence gathering, surveillance, and coordination with other City departments; and
WHEREAS, Investigators frequently undertake sensitive or high-stakes field investigations - including surveillance, undercover or confidential inquiries, service of legal process on hostile or uncooperative parties, and coordination with other agencies - in order to enforce municipal law, support litigation, or protect the public interest; and
WHEREAS, these duties are frequently performed in the field, including at private properties, construction sites, and other locations within and outside the City of Yonkers, and often require Investigators to conduct surveillance or other investigative activities during evening or nighttime hours, frequently working alone or with limited backup, and in circumstances that may present heightened safety risks or unpredictable encounters; and
WHEREAS, Investigators are frequently required to work in high-risk environments without the same protections afforded to other peace officers who perform comparable field investigative duties under Criminal Procedure Law § 2.10; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of public safety and welfare to designate of Investigators employed by the Office of the Corporation Counsel as peace officers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Yonkers City Council respectfully requests that the New York State Legislature to amend Criminal Procedure Law § 2.10 to designate Investigators employed by the Office of the Corporation Counsel of the City of Yonkers as peace officers; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to forward certified copies of this Home Rule Request Message to the City’s state legislative delegation; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.