New York City Sheriff's Office

History

The New York City Sheriff's Office originated in 1626 under the Dutch. Under later English rule, the position became known as the New York County Sheriff's Office. Originally each of the city's five county-boroughs had its own sheriff, each of which held the widest law enforcement jurisdiction in their respective county-boroughs. Like most sheriffs in the United States, these office holders were elected to their positions. Once the city was consolidated in 1898, the New York City Police Department took over the responsibility of policing and criminal investigations throughout New York City, while the Sheriff's Office continued to focus on civil law enforcement and administering the county prison systems. Sheriffs were compensated by charging fees for enforcing civil orders in addition to keeping a monetary percentage (known as poundage) of what their office would seize. By 1915, plans were made by the commissioner of accounts to alter the way sheriffs were compensated to include a determined salary instead of having the office holder personally retain fees and poundage. Although fees and poundage would still be charged by sheriffs, the monies would be retained for their respective county's use only. In 1938, the first female deputy sheriff was appointed.

On January 1, 1942, the city's five county sheriff's offices were merged to become the Office of the Sheriff of the City of New York. The city's five county sheriffs were abolished and replaced with borough "chief deputies" (later undersheriffs) reporting to the now mayorally-appointed citywide sheriff. A contemporary report of the changes emphasized professionalization of the office, which had become notorious for employing political patronage beneficiaries. The new top five commanders were "all college graduates" and "lawyers like their chief, who promises to keep out politics". At the same time, the sheriff's former responsibility for running prison systems was transferred to the newly established New York City Department of Correction.

Rank structure

In order to be appointed as deputies, candidates must first pass a civil service entrance examination and meet educational/experiential requirements. Candidates must also pass medical and psychological examinations, physical ability tests, and a full background investigation. In addition to deputy sheriffs, the Sheriff's Office employs sworn criminal investigators and an assortment of civilian support personnel.

On May 3, 2022, Anthony Miranda was appointed the 122nd Sheriff of the City of New York.

The uniform of the Sheriff's Office is a typical NYC law enforcement agent's uniform, with a dark blue shirt with metal badge and collar pins, dark blue trousers, tie, jacket and peaked cap. The Field Support Unit wears a less formal version without metal badges and pins, and with writing on their shirts and jackets. A variety of vests, gloves and other appropriate gear for the season/duty can be worn.

Operational structure

The New York City Sheriff's Office is composed of three sections: Operations, Intelligence, and Support.

Operations section

The operations section is composed of the five county field offices and certain units working citywide. Within the county field offices, deputy sheriffs assigned to civil enforcement duties are referenced as Law Enforcement Bureau (LEB) personnel. LEB deputies perform a wide array of tasks such as evictions, civil arrest warrants, orders to commit, and the seizure and sale of property pursuant to judicial mandates. Businesses and individuals that owe the city money pursuant to unpaid tax warrants, environmental control board summons and fire and health code violation fines are targeted for enforcement action. LEB deputies also serve a wide variety of legal process, with orders of protection considered a priority. Each county field office is complemented by civilian support staff to assist in daily administrative functions and customer service.

The field offices are accessible to the public, giving citizens of the county/borough a local place to file court process in need of enforcement.

Deputies of the Operations Section may be assigned to duties separate from the LEB, either within a county field office or citywide. These duties include arrests and apprehensions on behalf of other non enforcement city agencies such as the Human Resources Administration, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Administration for Children's Services. Deputies may be assigned to scofflaw enforcement or security duties at the city treasury. The Operations Section will also provide deputies for any other assignment as deemed necessary by the agency.

Intelligence section

The intelligence section is composed of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the Intelligence Unit. The BCI investigates city tax violation, real property larceny/deed fraud, synthetic narcotic enforcement (such as spice/K2 and bath salts) and offenses against the Department of Finance. The Intelligence Unit collects, analyzes, and disseminates information from various sources to be readily available for agency use.

Support section

The support section handles communications, property disposition, evidence destruction and field support services for the agency.

Power and authority

Deputy sheriffs and criminal investigators (sheriff detective and sheriff investigator) are New York State peace officers with authority to make warrantless arrests, issue summonses, carry and use a firearm, conducted energy device, baton, pepper spray, and handcuffs. Deputy sheriffs receive their peace officer status pursuant to the New York State Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) §2.10 subdivision 2, while criminal investigators receive their peace officer status from CPL §2.10 subdivision 5.

Deputy sheriffs are also civil enforcement officers with authority to enforce the New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) concerning civil procedure.

Special officers

The sheriff's office also employs special officers who support the deputy sheriffs and criminal investigators. Their uniform patch is similar to the NYPD's School Safety and Traffic Enforcement divisions, with "PUBLIC SAFETY" over the top of the sheriff patch, to distinguish them from deputies. Special officers work as part of the team of sheriff's deputies and detectives and perform bailiff functions and protect the NYC Finance Administrative Hearings Tribunal.

Ranks

1. Special Officer.
2. Special Officer Sergeant.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the sheriff's offices throughout the five counties of New York City, seven sworn officers have died in the line of duty.

Historical sheriffs

New York City

Effective January 1, 1942, one citywide sheriff began serving all five counties within the City of New York. The following is a list of the citywide sheriffs since the original five county positions were merged. The position is appointed by the mayor of New York City.

Kings County

Queens County

New York County

The first sheriff of New York County, Jan Lampo, was in office in 1626, although his title was Schout. Prior to 1942 the sheriff of New York County was an elected position.

Richmond County

Bronx County

References

References

1. "Divisions". City of New York.
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3. . (1915-02-25). ["Fees Of $400,000 To Five Sheriffs. Commissioner Wallstein Reports Collections Made by the Officials in Nine Years. In Favor of Bill Which Proposes to Limit Income of the Office to a Salary"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1915/02/25/100143397.pdf). *[[New York Times]]*.
4. . (1938-01-05). ["Woman Named Sheriff's Aide"](https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F04E0DE113EE03ABC4D53DFB7668383629EDE). *[[New York Times]]*.
5. . (1942-01-02). ["McCLOSKEY PICKS HIS 5 CHIEF AIDES"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1942/01/02/83886472.pdf). *[[New York Times]]*.
6. McKinley, Jesse. (1994-11-27). "F.Y.I.". [[The New York Times]].
7. "Deputy City Sheriff". City of New York.
8. (May 3, 2022). "Mayor Adams Appoints Anthony Miranda as New York City Sheriff". [[Mayor of New York City.
9. (January 31, 2017). "Good work by Deputy Sheriffs Mesa,...".
10. "Home". New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.
11. "Evictions". NYC Department of Finance.
12. "sheriff-arrest-warrants". NYC Department of Finance.
13. "sheriff-collecting-judgments". NYC Department of Finance.
14. "Collecting Judgments & Orders of Seizure". NYC Department of Finance.
15. "Serving Process". NYC Department of Finance.
16. "contact-us-by-visit In-Person". NYC Department of Finance.
17. "sheriff-tax-evasion-deed-fraud". NYC Department of Finance.
18. (October 19, 2015). "New York City Police Officer Indicted for Stealing Townhouse; Allegedly Transferred Title to Bedford-Stuyvesant Property to Herself". [[Brooklyn District Attorney.
19. (May 13, 2015). "Long Island Men Charged In Connection With Stealing Nine Homes From Owners by Illegally Transferring Titles, Filing False Documents". [[Brooklyn District Attorney.
20. (16 September 2015). "Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Major Law Enforcement Action Taken Against Synthetic Cannabinoid Manufacturers And Distributors, Including Criminal Charges Against Ten Members Of An International Trafficking Organization". U.S. Department of Justice.
21. "Sheriff / Court & Trust Funds". NYC Department of Finance.
22. (2017-12-21). "Many are unaware @NYCSHERIFF has Special Officers as part...".
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24. (June 19, 1942). "Sheriff Choices Upheld. Court Rules Against Seekers After New City Jobs". [[New York Times]].
25. (December 7, 2010). "City Sheriff Is Named (You Read That Right)". [[New York Times]].
26. "John Teunis Bergen".
27. (October 8, 1923). "Col. L. R. Stegman Dies in Brooklyn. Once Sheriff of Kings County, Civil War Veteran and Journalist was 84". [[New York Times]].
28. (May 13, 1886). "Charged With Stealing. Indictment And Arrest Of Ex-Sheriff Stegman, Of Kings County". The New York Times.
29. (July 20, 1913). "Ex-Sheriff Creamer Dies". [[New York Times]].
30. (March 8, 1902). "Guden "Morally Unfit". Gov. Odell's Stated Reason for Removing Kings County Sheriff. Col. N. S. Dike Succeeds Him. His Own Testimony, Says the Official Decision, Proved Him Incapable and Unqualified for a Public Trust". [[New York Times]].
31. (April 16, 1953). "Norman Dike Dies. On Bench 25 Years. Former State Supreme Court Justice, Had Been Kings County Judge, Sheriff". [[New York Times]].
32. (2 January 1903). "Sheriff Melody Assumes Office". The Daily Standard Union.
33. (January 12, 1928). "Crowley Wentworth Dies From Injuries. Body of Former Attorney in U.S. Department of Justice Sent to Washington After Services Here". [[New York Times]].
34. "Charles Blakeslee Law".
35. (January 16, 1941). "Ed Riegelmann, Ex-Justice. Former Borough President of Brooklyn Served in Supreme Court for 14 Years. Reached Age Limit in '39. One-Time Kings County Sheriff, Who Began as Messenger. Had Practiced Law Here". [[New York Times]].
36. "Daniel Joseph Griffin".
37. (29 October 1988). "J. V. Mangano, 83, Brooklyn Politician, Dies". [[The New York Times]].
38. (October 29, 1916). "Two Wives Share in Estate. One Is Widow of Sheriff Stier, the Other Her Sister, Whom He Divorced". [[New York Times]].
39. "Peter Hercules Wendover".
40. (December 5, 1878). "Death Of Ex-Coroner Rollins. He Is Found Dead In His Bed At The Union-place Hotel. A Sketch Of His Career". [[New York Times]].
41. (March 6, 1907). "Tweed's Arch Foe, James O'Brien, Dead. Long Conspicuous in Politics and in Daring Wall Street Speculations. He Once Ran For Mayor. Was Sheriff, Alderman, and State Senator, and Fought Tammany Hall for Years". [[New York Times]].
42. "James O'Brien".
43. (January 2, 1880). "New Public Officers. Sheriff Bowe And County Clerk Butler Take Possession Of Their Offices". [[New York Times]].
44. (March 3, 1903). "Death Of Peter Bowe. Harlem Politician Who Was Elected Sheriff on the Irving Hall Ticket. Major of Tammany Regiment". [[New York Times]].
45. (August 11, 1914). "Barney Martin, Old Tammany Man, Dies". [[New York Times]].
46. (May 12, 1896). "Tamsen Enters His Denial. The Sheriff Says Charges Against Him Are Founded in Malice". [[New York Times]].
47. (January 3, 1928). "Nicholas J. Hayes Dies Suddenly. Commissioner Of Water Supply Is Stricken With Heart Disease In His Home. Once a Power In Tammany. Served as Sheriff And as Head Of Fire Department. Was Friend Of Late C. F. Murphy". [[New York Times]].
48. (January 2, 1908). "Sheriff Foley Tries The Big Jail Key". [[New York Times]].
49. (November 10, 1914). "Julius Harburger Dies Suddenly. Ex-Sheriff and ex-Congressman Succumbs at Home from Congestion of Lungs. Political Speaker at 18. Energetic Official Noted for His Flights of Oratory. His Deputies from All Ranks of Life". [[New York Times]].
50. (October 4, 1944). "Alfred E. Smith Dies Here at 70. 4 Times Governor". [[New York Times]].
51. "Peter Joseph Dooling".
52. "James George Donovan".
53. (January 1, 1942). "Elected in 1939 for 3-Year Term, W.J. Dempsey Says He Still Has 'Year to Go'". [[New York Times]].
54. (January 4, 1942). "Sheriff Turns Over Office". [[New York Times]].
55. (15 April 1929). "J.F. O'BRIEN DEAD; A BRONX OFFICIAL; Had Been Deputy Commissioner of Records for the County Since 1918. WAS ITS FIRST SHERIFF Began Career as Store Clerk-- Became General Superintendent of Large Clothing Firm.". [[The New York Times]].
56. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Donnelly".
57. (November 7, 1917). "7 Nov 1917, Page 3 - The Sun at Newspapers.com". New York Sun.
58. (31 December 1920). "SHERIFF DONNELLY RESIGNS; Governor Names Thomas H. O'Neill to Succeed Bronx Official.". [[The New York Times]].
59. "What's in a Name - New York City Housing Authority".
60. Fitzpatrick, Benedict. (1927). "The Bronx and its People, a History, 1609-1927". The Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc..