New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police - Duties

Duties

Auxiliary Police officers duties fall into four broad categories:

1. Daily patrol of assigned sectors within their respective precinct, transit district, housing area or specialized unit coverage area.
2. 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.
3. Assist with vehicular and pedestrian traffic at parades, marathons, concerts, intersections with broken traffic lights, accident scenes, and fire scenes.
4. 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, on foot and on bicycle. The police cars, known as RMPs or Radio Motor Patrols, are dark blue or black with white decals or white with light blue decals. Auxiliary Police officers wear virtually the same uniform as regular officers, and are equipped with straight wood batons, bullet resistant vests, police radios directly linked to the Central Dispatcher, other Auxiliary officers, and regular officers, flashlights, whistles, handcuffs, memo books, and reflective traffic vests. Their badge is a seven point star, in contrast to the shield worn by regular officers.

Auxiliary Police officers in New York City are NOT permitted to carry a side arm 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.

Auxiliary Police officers patrol presence, observations and reporting of incidents requiring regular police response, as well as interacting with the public, are meant to aid in crime reduction and enhance relations between the community and the police.