Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5763/A.6588, in relation to designating all agents employed by the New York City Police Department in the titles of Traffic Enforcement Agent I and Traffic Enforcement Agent II as peace officers

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Res. No. 468 ..Title Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5763/A.6588, in relation to designating all agents employed by the New York City Police Department in the titles of Traffic Enforcement Agent I and Traffic Enforcement Agent II as peace officers ..Body By Council Members Williams and Louis Whereas, Peace officers are specialized law enforcement personnel tasked with providing physical security and maintaining order, and are authorized to perform duties enforcing laws within specific jurisdictions including making arrests, issuing summonses, conducting screenings, and carrying out patrol functions; and Whereas, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Traffic Enforcement Agents (TEAs) serve as the eyes and ears of the city, providing guidance and information to motorists, pedestrians, and tourists while promoting safe and efficient use of city streets; and Whereas, TEAs are civilian employees responsible for managing traffic flow and helping New Yorkers reach their destinations safely, efficiently, and orderly through duties such as directing traffic and enforcing parking regulations; and Whereas, TEAs undergo a 14-week training program at the Police Academy and patrol assigned areas to enforce laws and regulations related to the movement, parking, stopping, and standing of vehicles in all weather conditions, demonstrating a consistent presence in maintaining public safety on city streets; and Whereas, Traffic Enforcement Agent Level 1 personnel primarily focus on enforcing parking regulations and issuing summonses to individuals in violation of such rules and Level 2 personnel are primarily responsible for directing traffic at intersections to maintain safe and orderly traffic conditions; and Whereas, In carrying out these responsibilities, TEAs regularly interact with members of the public who may be frustrated or confrontational when issued summonses or directed to comply with traffic rules; and Whereas, Despite these risks and their visible presence in NYPD uniforms, Traffic Enforcement Agents lack the authority to take direct enforcement action in response to crimes and must instead rely on contacting emergency services; and Whereas, New York State Criminal Procedure Law section 2.10 assigns peace officer status to various officials, including certain investigators, inspectors, enforcement personnel, and other public safety roles across multiple agencies; and Whereas, Despite their role in maintaining public order and safety on city streets, TEAs currently do not hold peace officer designation under New York State law, limiting their statutory authority in situations where enforcement action or legal protections may be necessary; and Whereas, Many of the positions granted peace officer status operate with more limited public interaction than TEAs, who engage with the public continuously in high-traffic environments; and Whereas, The designation of peace officer status is intended to reflect both the nature of assigned duties and the need to provide appropriate legal authority and protections for personnel engaged in frontline enforcement responsibilities; and Whereas, Given their daily responsibilities, public-facing role, and exposure to safety risks, there is a compelling rationale to consider extending peace officer status to uniformed Traffic Enforcement Agents; and Whereas, S.5763, sponsored by New York State Senator Robert Jackson, and A.6588, sponsored by New York State Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato, seek to amend the Criminal Procedure Law by formally including all New York City Police Department employees, holding the titles of Traffic Enforcement Agents Level 1 and Level 2, within the list of recognized peace officers; and Whereas, S.5763/A.6588 would grant such agents peace officer status while maintaining limitations on their authority regarding firearms, requiring proper licensing pursuant to New York State Penal Law section 400.00; and Whereas, This legislation aims to align the legal authority of Traffic Enforcement Agents with the responsibilities they perform in maintaining traffic safety and public order across New York City; and Whereas, Providing peace officer status to Traffic Enforcement Agents would ensure that TEAs are afforded appropriate legal recognition consistent with similarly situated public safety personnel whose duties include enforcement and direct public interaction; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5763/A.6588, in relation to designating all agents employed by the New York City Police Department in the titles of Traffic Enforcement Agent I and Traffic Enforcement Agent II as peace officers. CMB LS#23714 4/28/26

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