New York State University Police - Operational Overview

Operational Overview

Officers receive their official powers through Education Law and Criminal Procedure law. These authorize a State University Police Officer to make warrantless arrests based on probable cause, to use appropriate force in making an arrest, to issue uniform appearance tickets and traffic summons and to execute arrest and bench warrants. For minor offenses, officers can use discretion to refer students to the college judicial board instead of pursuing an arrest. Officers have the option of referring arrested students to the college judiciary system.

Officers are assigned to fixed or rotating shifts involving patrol assignments or dispatch/desk posts.

Unlike the New York State Park Police, each SUNY campus operates as its own police department. Despite claims that centralization would decrease costs and improve efficiency, the SUNY administration and state legislature have rejected centralization.