OMH Police (Off. Mental Health)

[KFRG]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone has any info at all about this agency. I can't find any info at all about them. I have seen their Expeditions at and around Kings Park Psych Center.
Whens the last time they hired anyone?

[ChrisF202]

I think they just had a test but they aren't police officers even though they drive cars that say so. They have limited Peace officer status and do not carry firearms on or off duty. I hear the money and the hours are decent.
I thought they had police officer powers on duty only like the LIMA Police?

[aikido kid]

I remember seeing one of them once at a hospital and I was like WTF?? He did had a heater though...

[Fuerza]

Their last test was a few years ago, but they will be giving another one in the beginning of 2008. It's currently listed in the tentative exam schedule on the nys civil service website (Safety and Security Officer is the technical civil service title).

As already stated, they do not carry firearms, only batons and handcuffs. There is considerable debate as to whether or not they have off-duty arrest powers, as the CPL gives them unlimited authority (by not saying that they don't), but the Mental Hygiene Law says they only have peace officer status, and thus arrest powers, while on duty. It really shouldn't matter though...since they are unarmed I can't imagine wanting to get involved off-duty.

The bottom line is that it's a decent job. The pay is decent and they have 25 year retirement. While on hospital property they act just like police, including making vehicle stops and issuing summonses. Even if you don't want to make a life-long career of it, it's a good way to get a job with arrest powers on your resume to make you more competitive for other LE jobs. I know that the VA police like to hire former SSOs.

[DPS55]

that kind of reminds me of what we have in Maryland. DHMH ( Departmant of Health and Mental Hygiene) Police. They are the police at all of the state owned mental hospitals. They are fully certified through MPCTC. ( full arrest powers and armed and can carry on duty and off if Im not mistakened)

[Dinosaur32]

What exactly does the mental hygiene law say? Under the CPL all peace officers have full time arrest powers unless explicitly noted in the law, i.e,. Long Island's Islip Airport Police. Agencies can put certain limitations on their peace officers, but generally, the CPL supercedes.

Many years ago the TBTA did not want their officers carrying firearms, but the CPL put no such restriction on the BTOs. The officers carried off-duty, but the agency did not allow on-duty carrying.

[DPS55]

What exactly does the mental hygiene law say? Under the CPL all peace officers have full time arrest powers unless explicitly noted in the law, i.e,. Long Island's Islip Airport Police. Agencies can put certain limitations on their peace officers, but generally, the CPL supercedes.

Many years ago the TBTA did not want their officers carrying firearms, but the CPL put no such restriction on the BTOs. The officers carried off-duty, but the agency did not allow on-duty carrying.
wow that really sounded kind of backwards. Ive never heard of such a thing. Carrying off duty but not carrying on duty

[Dinosaur32]

Any agency has the authority to administratively limit your power to carry a firearm on duty. The agency may also restrict an individual's firearm privileges for on and off-duty carry. There are Peace Officer titles in New York State where the officers are not allowed to carry without a carry permit. The agency can ask the local permit agency to not issue such permits to its officers.

[ChrisF202]

wow that really sounded kind of backwards. Ive never heard of such a thing. Carrying off duty but not carrying on duty
The Town of Islip Park Rangers also have/had the same restrictions, this may have changed considering TOI Park Rangers patrol parks in some tough 'hoods.

LIMA Police can carry on duty but not off duty. I am not sure if the Town of Islip Harbor Police are armed or not. Anyone know?

[Dinosaur32]

What CPL section covers Islip Public Safety Officers, Code Enforcement Officers and Park Rangers? Are the Harbor Police the same as Bay Constables? I could not find a CPL listing of any of these titles. Bay Constables are Peace Officers but need a carry permit from SCPD before theyt can carry unless they were on the job before the re-organization in 1998. The other titles may be filled by special policemen or special officers.....these title have sometimes limited Peace Officer status and usually require a carry permit.

[ChrisF202]

What CPL section covers Islip Public Safety Officers, Code Enforcement Officers and Park Rangers? Are the Harbor Police the same as Bay Constables? I could not find a CPL listing of any of these titles. Bay Constables are Peace Officers but need a carry permit from SCPD before theyt can carry unless they were on the job before the re-organization in 1998. The other titles may be filled by special policemen or special officers.....these title have sometimes limited Peace Officer status and usually require a carry permit.
They used to be called bay constables but they changed their name to Harbor Police a few years ago, I remember when they were called Bay Constables so the name change is pretty recent.

Some towns call them marine patrol (East Hampton Town), some bay constables (Babylon) and Islip calls them Harbor Police.

I am also 100% positive that the CPL covers Town of Islip Park Rangers ... not sure about the others. My link to an online copy of the CPL is dead so I cant find the section #.

[DOAcop38]

wow that really sounded kind of backwards. Ive never heard of such a thing. Carrying off duty but not carrying on duty

loop hole in some states penal code in regards to certain type of peace officers.Here in L.A, the Los Angeles city Park Rangers are considered "peace officers"( they have to have a B.A/B.S. degree or L.E. experience and 2 yr college degree).Park Rangers must attend a "basic" police academy like any oher police officer,and although unarmed while on duty /patrol( rangers carry OC,handcuffs,straight baton/asp/PR 24) they can carry off duty.based on an earlier ,and unchallenged State Atty Gen'ls written "opinion" about the rights and authoirty of CA. peace officers.What many of us in L.A. crack up about is that these guys-whose duties also cover search and rescue,environmental surveys, nature hikes, willing go out into the regional isolated city parks and the urban "hood" community parks on patrol and engage "Armed" gangmembers,pursue stolen vehicles,and "ped stop" felons and narco suspects-WITHOUT sidearms( there pay is about $44K to $55k/yr compared to the avg police starting pay of $54K to $78K/yr)-its something civie mgm't won't budge on.but in all fairness,why would any copper not want a "fellow" peace officer to be unarmed on or off duty? as long as they have the training and are carrying out their duties (and NOT interfering with yours).you think some thug that guy arrested is going to forget when he sees that Peace officer off duty?

[aikido kid]

wow that really sounded kind of backwards. Ive never heard of such a thing. Carrying off duty but not carrying on duty

welcome to new york...

[Dinosaur32]

Kid....What's so odd about that? Correction Officers, except for certain security details, never carry on duty.

[DPS55]

welcome to new york...
Correctional officer's are peace officers correct? Do they carry off duty or do they need a ccw permit to carry?

[Dinosaur32]

Correction Officers in New York State (State, County or New York City) are Peace Officers with 24/7 arrest powers and carry on their credentials. Their enforcement authority differs minimally from Police Officers. The biggest difference is the power to execute warrants.

[DPS55]

Correction Officers in New York State (State, County or New York City) are Peace Officers with 24/7 arrest powers and carry on their credentials. Their enforcement authority differs minimally from Police Officers. The biggest difference is the power to execute warrants.
wow it seems as if Maryland could learn from NY.

[Munlaw]

S. 2 of the CPL gets quite technical about which Peace Officer agencies can carry firearms automatically and which ones require a special permit...

[PACE]

Bump

Any other info on this job? Just recently had an interview, think it went pretty well.

I'm looking at this as a "foot in the door" type situation and was wondering how the whole "Peace Officer" title would apply to out of state jobs requiring certification as a "sworn LEO". Any thoughts on this?

Also, I know they are unarmed while working but, what about off duty? Anything like Corrections where they can carry with a non restricted pistol license?

[PAC084]

The OMH Police has two separate titles. The one you're referring to is the Safety & Security Officer title. The have full peace officer status. The other is the Security Hospital Treatment Assistants title and they only have peace officer status while doing transports. OHM Police do not carry firearms on or off duty.

[NYCAPO]

Quick question - On the hiring notice for the position of Safety and Security Officer Trainee, it says "You must be reachable on the Civil Service Safety and Security Officer Trainee eligible list OR be eligible for transfer." What exactly is this? And how would someone be put on the list? I'm interested in applying for the position, but I don't want to apply if I don't qualify.

[NYCTNT]

These guys always come through with collars at Bronx Central Booking... almost on a weekly regular. No idea what their collar flavor is but I see them often enough.

[ssomike]

PACO84 is totally wrong about Security Hospital Treatment Assistants (SHTA'S) being part of OMH Police (although they probably think they belong there). SHTA's are Therapy Aides. Period. Nothing to do with Law Enforcement in any way shape or form.

[ssomike]

NYCAPO, just like any other civil service job, you have to wait for a job announcement, take the test, pass the test, have a high enough score to be reachable(generally 85 and above), get canvassed by a facility, get interviewed and when all the planets align correctly,finally get a conditional offer of employment. Only when a list has been totally exhausted can you sometimes be hired provisionally(and then you'd still have to pass the test and academy and pass a 1 year probationary period).

[NYCTNT]

I snapped a pic of one of their RMP's here in the bronx for you guys.;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3285424667_057dabc0e9.jpg?v=0

[PACE]

Thanks guys...

A little advice for anyone taking the next test...It was MUCH harder than I was expecting. Lots of charts and graphs and leaned heavily towards fire safety....took me by surprise. Overheard several people grumbling, "What the hell does all this have to do with security?!"

During my interview with the Chief, I mentioned how I was surprised by the test. He commented that he wasn't happy with the test and that it makes it too difficult for people walking in off the street to get hired.

Also, all the guys at OMH Police that I met while interviewing seemed like a good bunch...polite, friendly and wishing me luck.

FWIW

[NYCAPO]

I snapped a pic of one of their RMP's here in the bronx for you guys.;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3285424667_057dabc0e9.jpg?v=0

Nice photo. Here are 2 photos of one of their SUV's.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5999/nysomhpolicermpaf0.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4160/nysomhpolicermp2gx0.jpg

Something I don't understand about their cars is why they put "Safety" on the sides while they put "Police" on the front and back.

[NYCAPO]

NYCAPO, just like any other civil service job, you have to wait for a job announcement, take the test, pass the test, have a high enough score to be reachable(generally 85 and above), get canvassed by a facility, get interviewed and when all the planets align correctly,finally get a conditional offer of employment. Only when a list has been totally exhausted can you sometimes be hired provisionally(and then you'd still have to pass the test and academy and pass a 1 year probationary period).

Thanks alot for the info.

[DEcop989]

e d i t e d . . . .

[PACE]

What sort of academy do they have? Do they go to a regular academy and just sit down during the range? Or do they have an in-house training thingy.

Just curious. Still interested - as ever - to move to NYC, but took the Church Police job in DC. Yay me. Full arrest powers and a gun - albeit a 38. But I still want to live in NY - preferably NYC. Call me crazy

3 weeks up in Utica NY. They give you a state car and pay for boarding at a hotel.

Not sure but I think this is the place http://www.peaceofficeracademy.com/

aw Enforcement
February 17, 2009


"We offer a variety of courses for Law Enforcement Officers. All courses are available as Initial Courses, both Basic and Advanced, and as Annual Re-certifications. In addition, we can customize any of our courses to meet your Agency's specific needs, or even prepare a new curriculum. Remember - all Peace Officer Training Academy graduates receive a ten percent discount on initial specialty courses.

Our courses include - but are not limited to - Basic Course for Peace Officers (with and without firearms), Chemical Agents and Riot Control for Tactical Situations, Firearms, Aerosol Subject Restraint, Police Baton (standard and expandable), Specialty Impact Munitions, Dog Control Officer, Combat Pistol, Patrol Rifle, Patrol Shotgun, and Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness Level Training.

For more information, please contact Chief Dennis Brennan, Training Director, at (716) 998-1428, or by email at DBrennan @ PeaceOfficerAcademy . com."

[PACE]

Something I don't understand...

In NY State, a person can not touch or handle a firearm without a license. What does a OMH Police officer do if he discovers a firearm, say during a pat down?

[NYCTNT]

PACE,

Just because a certail POLICE/PEACE officer does NOT carry firearms, they can still deal with the firearm in question in any which way they need to.

If they pat someone down and they get a gun, well... since they are L/E, they remove firearm, unload it, initial it... voucher it.. etc.

Your question is geared towards a civilian and NOT law enforcement. A firearm is only an additional form of defense for a LEO and it does not make the cop a cop because of their gun.

[NYCTNT]

3 weeks up in Utica NY. They give you a state car and pay for boarding at a hotel.

Not sure but I think this is the place http://www.peaceofficeracademy.com/

aw Enforcement
February 17, 2009



That is a private enterprise.

I doubt that is the place they train.

If its a state job, its probably all in-house.

[PACE]

PACE,

Just because a certail POLICE/PEACE officer does NOT carry firearms, they can still deal with the firearm in question in any which way they need to.

If they pat someone down and they get a gun, well... since they are L/E, they remove firearm, unload it, initial it... voucher it.. etc.

Your question is geared towards a civilian and NOT law enforcement. A firearm is only an additional form of defense for a LEO and it does not make the cop a cop because of their gun.

Gotcha...

Wasn't trying to imply that they were "lesser" in any way, shape or form. It was just an honest question I was curious about.

Not so sure about the academy..I know it's 3 weeks and in Ithaca.

[ssomike]

The academy is in Oriskany,NY at the Homeland Preparedness Training Center. 3 Weeks in duration.

[NYCTNT]

You work downstate?

[ssomike]

Yes, but I don't want to get too specific about what facility on an open forum.

[STXHammer]

Any idea when the next chance to get on this would be?

[DEcop989]

hard department to get in with?

[ssomike]

I think the last test was maybe 1 year or 1 1/2 yrs ago and they only test about every 4 years.