Sheriffs in The United States - Sheriff Types By State - New York - New York City

New York City

The City of New York, although it comprises five counties, currently has a single Sheriff's Office, part of the New York City Department of Finance. The Sheriff's Office is headed by a sheriff, appointed by the mayor.

The Sheriff's Office serves the entire city. It is the civil enforcement arm of the Department of Finance, typically acting as the enforcer of civil judgments won by the city against individuals and businesses. Though deputy sheriffs retain their status as peace officers/law enforcement officers, traditional patrol and other law enforcement functions are handled by other departments - The New York City Police Department oversees law enforcement; the Department of Corrections manages the city's jails; the Office of the Medical Examiner handles the coroner functions; Court Officers handle security for the courts themselves and in lock-ups within court buildings; and so on).

The sheriff or his deputies serve processes and writs; handle evictions from city apartments or buildings seized for nonpayment of taxes; serve mental hygiene and family court warrants to take persons into custody for committal or guardianship; enforce traffic and parking laws, particularly in seizing automobiles the owners of which have failed to pay parking fines; and conducting sheriff's sales of real estate and personal property seized.

The Administrative Division controls the five county divisions, each corresponding to a borough. The department also has five undersheriffs, one per borough, approximately 150 deputy sheriffs, and non-sworn clerical staff.

There are currently about 150 deputy sheriffs employed by the New York City Sheriff's Office. Deputies have full peace officer powers and are allowed to carry firearms on and off duty (as per the New York State Penal Code).

The sheriff is not to be confused with New York City Marshals, who are licensed by the city as private businessmen to be hired by people and businesses to enforce their own civil judgments. For instance, while the sheriff seizes land or cars for nonpayment of taxes or fines, the marshals may be hired by private owners to evict tenants or seize property as a result of a default on a loan.

Read more about this topic:  Sheriffs In The United States, Sheriff Types By State, New York

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