New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police
The NYPD has an unpaid force known as the Auxiliary Police program. It is composed of citizens who volunteer time to help their neighborhoods by providing a uniformed presence.
In 1950, the 81st Congress passed the Public Law #920, entitled “The Civil Defense Act of 1950” authorizing a Federal Civil Defense Program. In 1951, the New York State Legislature enacted the “Defense Emergency Act” requiring New York City to recruit, train, and equip volunteer Auxiliary Police, who would then act as a liaison to the NYPD in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
In 1967, A Mayoral Executive Order closed the Civil Defense Headquarters and placed full responsibility of the Auxiliary Police Program with the NYPD. During the 1960’s when crime was on the rise, uniform Auxiliary Police patrols were an effective means to deter crime.
Auxiliary officers sometimes ride in black or dark blue squad cars, as opposed to the NYPD"s white cars, (called RMPs for Radio Motor Patrols), but usually patrol on foot. They are equipped with a baton, flashlight, handcuffs, and a radio; their badge is a five point star, in contrast to the NYPD's shield. If officers see a crime in progress, they report it to Central Dispatch using the radio. Auxiliaries act primarily as the eyes and ears of the police department. Before becoming auxiliaries, recruits go through 53 hours of training.
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Among the more elite Auxiliary Police Units in the NYPD is the Central Park Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit. Volunteers of this unit patrol New York's recreational epicenter and help the police preserve the saftey of the 1,000s of visitors who visit the park each day.
Central Park Precinct is unlike any other precinct in New York City as it has no residential buildings. It is also different from other precincts by not having marked streets and intersections, thus locations put over police radios are based on the parks geographical landmarks as visual references. Moreover, the Central Park Precinct's ever changing terrain based on the four seasons, day, and night which contributes a diverse environment for both auxiliaries and regular police officers to patrol.
Central Park Precinct also has the lowest crime rates in the entire New York City Police Department. (See NYPD official site)
Central Park Precinct Auxiliary Police Officers can be found on foot, bicycle and RMP (car)patrol during the evening hours and on weekends.
The Central Park Precinct is all ways soliciting applications from civilian volunteers in New York City who wish to don the uniform of New York's Finest and help serve as the "eyes and ears" of the NYPD.
For more information, please visit: http://www.centralpark.com/pages/general-info/central-park-police/auxiliary-police-program.html