Occ. Code 8714000
PARK PATROL OFFICER, GRADE 14
New York State Department of Civil Service
Park Patrol Officers enforce all New York State and local laws and agency rules and regulations at recreational and historic sites operated by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Park Patrol Officers are charged with full police officer powers under Criminal Procedure Law, Section 1.20, and are responsible for the performance of the full range of professional police duties. Positions in this class are found only in the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in each of the agency's 11 park regions.
PARK PATROL OFFICER: journey-level; works under general supervision of a Sergeant Park Police; must be able to work alone and exercise independent judgment in performing duties; substantial contact with public and other law enforcement personnel; may direct part-time Park Patrol Officers and assist in training Park Patrol Officer Trainees.
RELATED CLASSES
Environmental Conservation Officers have police officer status and are responsible for enforcing provisions of the Environmental Conservation Law to protect, preserve, and improve the quality of the State's natural environment. Within an assigned geographic area, typically of 250 to 300 square miles, these officers engage in activities to control or prevent air and water pollution; the improper disposal of solid, toxic, and hazardous wastes; the improper use of pesticides and herbicides; the demise of endangered species; and the over‑harvesting of fish and wildlife.
Positions in the Traffic and Park Officer Series are earmarked for consolidation into the Park Patrol Officer Series as they become vacant
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
Maintain order within facilities to preserve and protect the natural and historic resources of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and ensure the safety and security of patrons.
- Deter crime by their uniformed presence and proactive patrol tactics.
- Provide crowd and traffic control.
- Protect victims at the scenes of crimes, accidents, and fires and direct the response of emergency personnel, including firefighters, paramedics, ambulances, and tow trucks.
- Direct the administration of first aid and secure medical assistance for the prompt treatment of sick or injured persons.
Instruct park patrons regarding various laws and agency rules and regulations.
- Communicate to patrons laws, rules, and regulations while on patrol and when engaging in enforcement actions.
- Speak to interested groups at schools, fairs, and shows to explain the Park Patrol career and profession.
- Participate in county administered STOP‑DWI programs.
Administer and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations to protect persons and property from injury or damage.
- Patrol an assigned area on foot or by car, boat, or other forms of transportation to detect crime and provide assistance to park visitors.
- Make arrests and/or issue tickets to halt illegal and disorderly behavior and deter future violations of the law.
- Evict violators from campgrounds and other facilities as necessary.
- Conduct sobriety checkpoints to detect alcohol or drug impaired motorists and make arrests of same.
- Conduct investigations throughout the region to apprehend subjects wanted for offenses committed in areas under the jurisdiction of the agency.
- Make inquiries by law enforcement computer networks to verify the identity of suspects and suspect vehicles.
- Detect hazards, unsafe conditions, or irregularities on park property and direct the response of appropriate personnel.
- Assist local law enforcement agencies in the collection and compilation of boating accident and casualty reports by conducting investigations and prosecuting offenders.
- Under signed cooperative agreements, work with and assist other police agencies during emergency situations.
Conduct police inquiries and investigations, using a variety of techniques.
- Analyze or direct the collection and analyses of breath, blood, and urine samples and other physical evidence and factual data for the purpose of identifying offenders and initiating successful prosecution.
- Inspect and photograph crime scenes to identify, preserve, collect, secure, and analyze physical evidence.
- Interview suspects, victims, and witnesses to obtain testimonial evidence.
- Execute search warrants to recover evidence as necessary.
Present the results of enforcement and investigation to a court of law.
- Apprehend suspects, including physical restraint and custody, perform mandated booking procedures, and attend arraignment of the accused before a magistrate.
- Secure offenders to the custody of the appropriate law enforcement organization when so ordered by the court.
- Execute arrest and bench warrants.
- Complete all paperwork as required by the court or District Attorney.
- Testify in court when required.
- Seek and maintain the cooperation of other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies
Teach specific programs for the public and for police professionals.
- Assist municipalities and agency personnel in determining training needs and develop, administer, conduct, and evaluate programs and courses.
- Conduct train‑the‑trainer programs for local law enforcement agencies and agency security personnel.
- Perform periodic field audits of municipalities to ensure conformance to program mandates and standards.
- Conduct or assist in the presentation of programs related to boating and safe navigation and assist staff of the Bureau of Marine and Recreational Vehicles in developing courses and programs.
- May attain state certification as police instructor to provide instruction in various topics at schools and academies operated by the Municipal Police Training Council.
- Perform field training of recruits and conduct in‑service training and programs for Park Patrol Officers.
Record activities and incidents which occur within the park regions, such as daily patrol reports (DPR's), accident reports, crime reports, investigative reports, and general incident reports, and complete other paperwork.
INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION
Incumbents must be able to work alone and without direct supervision since the work requires independent performance of duties. Additionally, the size of park regions may require that incumbents be stationed at considerable distance from their immediate supervisors and headquarters.
COMPLEXITY
Incumbents perform duties with a wide range of complexity ranging from routine activities, such as completing reports and answering questions, to complex, such as conducting investigations, apprehending criminals, and testifying in court; developing and conducting courses and programs; and conducting research for task force assignments.
COMMUNICATION
Park Patrol Officers have frequent face‑to‑face and telephone communications with other members of the regional police force, superior officers, other law enforcement personnel, the general public, park patrons, and agency staff. Incumbents must use tact and diplomacy to minimize conflict when enforcing laws, rules, and regulations.
Park Patrol Officers communicate in writing by police reports, letters, and memoranda to other law enforcement jurisdictions, the general public, and agency staff.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Although supervision is not a year‑round characteristic of these positions, incumbents may direct part‑time Park Patrol Officers and may participate in on‑the‑job training of Park Patrol Officer trainees.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Promotion and Open Competitive
Park Patrol Officers must possess or obtain a valid and unrestricted Class D New York State Driver's License; meet physical, medical, and psychological requirements as determined by the Municipal Police Training Council; be not less than 20 years of age at time of appointment; be able to successfully complete mandatory training, including the Basic Course for Police Officers and specialized agency training provided during a traineeship; and possess a high school diploma, a high school equivalency diploma, or a USAFI GED high school level diploma. In addition, promotion candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or non-competitive service.
- Must maintain New York State residency pursuant to the Public Officers Law.
- Must be qualified to be a Police Officer under New York State Law and be legally eligible to carry firearms.
- Must possess and maintain a valid and unrestricted Class D New York State Drivers License.
Revised: 5/98
NOTE: For current information on minimum qualifications contact the Division of Staffing Services.