NCJ Number
95084
Date Published
1982
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The organization, responsibilities, units, and programs of the New York City Housing Authority Police Department are described.
Abstract
Working in conjunction with the municipal police, the Housing Authority Department is charged with protecting life and safeguarding persons on or about Housing Authority property; maintaining the public peace; preventing crime; detecting and arresting offenders; and protecting Housing Authority property from acts of destruction, vandalism, theft, and nuisance. The Department's organization follows traditional line and staff structure. Personnel include 1,427 officers and 285 civilians. The patrol bureau, the largest unit, is responsible for furnishing direct, first-line police services to the Authority's housing developments. The cornerstone of the unit is the uniformed officer on foot patrol. The patrol force operates on a combination of random and directed patrols. Radio motor patrol officers supplement coverage and respond to and assist foot patrol officers. A robbery task force -- composed of anticrime, stakeout, and uniformed contingents -- is deployed at particular housing projects on the basis of a crime analysis and has proven very effective. The detective bureau includes a headquarters squad, which oversees special investigations; a homicide/major case squad; and a crimes against the elderly squad. The internal affairs bureau is charged with the investigation of charges of misconduct, corruption, or other complaints against department members. The community service officer program provides supplemental security services within community development areas. These services include unarmed uniformed patrols, foot and vehicular escorts, emergency assistance, crowd control, and reporting of hazardous conditions. Tables, figures, and photographs are included.