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Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Select security personnel at Rochester Regional Health (RRH) have been granted peace officer status under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The legislation, long advocated by hospital leaders, aims to enhance security measures by giving authorized staff greater authority in critical situations.
Expanded Authority with Peace Officer Status
The new law allows properly trained RRH security staff to issue appearance tickets, conduct constitutionally permitted searches, make arrests, confiscate illegal firearms, and detain or transport individuals under specific circumstances. These expanded powers are expected to help hospital security respond more effectively to incidents on hospital premises.
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“This legislation authorizes security officers with the appropriate training to perform essential law enforcement tasks,” explained Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-Rochester), one of the bill’s co-sponsors.
Security Upgrades and Implementation Plan
Tim Tull, RRH’s vice president of safety and security, said the organization has been proactively strengthening its security infrastructure for the past two years. Enhancements include improved access control, expanded surveillance coverage, increased patrols, better parking lot lighting, and the launch of a weapons screening pilot at Rochester General Hospital (RGH).
“All of the peace officers will be armed, though that’s not a change for us. Our security force already includes an armed contingent,” Tull noted.
Next Steps for Deployment
The rollout of peace officers will involve comprehensive training and collaboration with local law enforcement. “We’ve got to get everybody through the training,” Tull emphasized. “We also have to work with our local law enforcement to establish MOUs (memorandums of understanding) and clarify jurisdictional boundaries.”
The University of Rochester, another major healthcare provider in the region, already employs both armed and unarmed peace officers at its academic and healthcare facilities. Under the new law, RRH’s peace officers will be stationed at Rochester General and Unity hospitals, enhancing overall campus security and public safety.
