Misplaced Pages

Office of the Sheriff of the City of New York
Patch of the New York City Sheriff's Office
Flag of the City of New York City Sheriff's Office
Common name	New York City Sheriff's Office
Motto	New York's First
Agency overview
Formed	1942
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	New York City, New York, U.S.
Map of Office of the Sheriff of the City of New York's jurisdiction
Size	468.484 square miles (1,213.37 km)
Population	8,537,673 (2017)
Legal jurisdiction	New York City
General nature	Civilian police
Operational structure
Deputy sheriffs and investigators	150
Agency executive	Anthony Miranda, Sheriff of the City of New York
Parent agency	New York City Department of Finance
Facilities
County field offices	5 List New York County Field Office for Manhattan Queens County Field Office for Queens (Headquarters) Bronx County Field Office for The Bronx Kings County Field Office for Brooklyn Richmond County Field Office for Staten Island
Website
Official website

The New York City Sheriff's Office (NYCSO), officially the Office of the Sheriff of the City of New York, is the primary civil law enforcement agency for New York City. The Sheriff's Office is a division of the New York City Department of Finance, operating as an enforcement arm. The Sheriff's Office handles investigations concerning cigarette tax enforcement, real estate property/deed fraud and other matters deemed necessary by the Department of Finance.

In addition, as the city's chief civil law enforcement agency concerning the New York State Court System, the Sheriff's Office enforces a variety of mandates, orders, warrants and decrees issued by courts. Enforcement tools include evictions, seizure of property, arrests and garnishments. Auctions are conducted for property the agency seizes and levies upon.

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

Title	Insignia	Badge design	Uniform shirt color
Sheriff		Medallion with eagle and five stars	White
First Deputy Sheriff		Medallion with eagle and four stars	White
Chief of Staff		Medallion with eagle and three stars	White
Deputy Sheriff – Lieutenant		Medallion with Rank	White
Deputy Sheriff – Sergeant		Shield with eagle	Dark blue
Deputy Sheriff		Shield	Dark blue

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.

As of 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. These 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, 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

See also

• List of law enforcement agencies in New York
• Law enforcement in New York City
• Coroner of New York City

References

1. "Divisions". New York City Department of Finance. City of New York. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
2. New York City Charter § 1526 "There shall be within the department an office of the city sheriff which shall be subject to the supervision and control of the commissioner of finance."
3. ^ "Sheriff". New York City Department of Finance. City of New York. Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
4. "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" (PDF). New York Times. Vol. LXIV, no. 20851. February 25, 1915. p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2023.
5. "Woman Named Sheriff's Aide". New York Times. Vol. LXXXVII, no. 29201. January 5, 1938. p. 23.
6. "McCLOSKEY PICKS HIS 5 CHIEF AIDES" (PDF). New York Times. Vol. XCI, no. 30659 (New York ed.). January 2, 1942. p. 15. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
7. McKinley, Jesse (November 27, 1994). "F.Y.I." The New York Times. Vol. CXLIV, no. 49893 (New York ed.). sec. 13 p. 2. Retrieved January 21, 2008. Established in 1626, the Sheriff's office in Manhattan and its equivalents in the other boroughs served as a major part of the patchwork of law-enforcement agencies that existed before the city's consolidation in 1898. After that, the new New York City Police Department took over all the responsibility for Policing and criminal investigations in New York City. Prior to the merger into one department, the sheriff was responsible for maintaining the city jails and maintained custody over all inmates sentenced or awaiting trial for criminal cases. In 1941, The city charter was amended by public referendum votes to transfer custodial duties of inmates in criminal cases to the New York City Department of Correction. Today, the city sheriff's primary duties are enforcing court-ordered judgments and fines, including unpaid parking tickets and littering fines, and collecting judgments from reluctant losers in private lawsuits, said John George, the Sheriff's executive assistant.
8. "Deputy City Sheriff" (PDF). New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services. City of New York. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
9. "Mayor Adams Appoints Anthony Miranda as New York City Sheriff" (Press release). New York: Office of the Mayor of New York City. May 3, 2022. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
10. @NYCSHERIFF (January 31, 2017). "Good work by Deputy Sheriffs Mesa,..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
11. ^ "Home". New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Association. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
12. "Evictions". NYC Department of Finance.
13. "sheriff-arrest-warrants". NYC Department of Finance.
14. "sheriff-collecting-judgments". NYC Department of Finance.
15. "Collecting Judgments & Orders of Seizure". NYC Department of Finance.
16. "Serving Process". NYC Department of Finance.
17. "contact-us-by-visit In-Person". NYC Department of Finance.
18. "sheriff-tax-evasion-deed-fraud". NYC Department of Finance.
19. "New York City Police Officer Indicted for Stealing Townhouse; Allegedly Transferred Title to Bedford-Stuyvesant Property to Herself" (Press release). Kings County District Attorney's Office. October 19, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
20. "Long Island Men Charged In Connection With Stealing Nine Homes From Owners by Illegally Transferring Titles, Filing False Documents" (Press release). Kings County District Attorney's Office. May 13, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
21. "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. September 16, 2015.
22. "Sheriff / Court & Trust Funds". NYC Department of Finance.
23. ^ @NYCSHERIFF (December 21, 2017). "Many are unaware @NYCSHERIFF has Special Officers as part..." (Tweet). Retrieved June 18, 2020 – via Twitter.
24. "New York City Sheriff's Office, NY". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Archived from the original on April 15, 2008.
25. "Sheriff Choices Upheld. Court Rules Against Seekers After New City Jobs". New York Times. June 19, 1942.
26. Harris, Elizabeth A. (December 7, 2010). "City Sheriff Is Named (You Read That Right)". New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
27. "John Teunis Bergen". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
28. "Col. L. R. Stegman Dies in Brooklyn. Once Sheriff of Kings County, Civil War Veteran and Journalist was 84". New York Times. October 8, 1923. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
29. "Charged With Stealing. Indictment And Arrest Of Ex-Sheriff Stegman, Of Kings County" (PDF). The New York Times. May 13, 1886. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 20, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
30. "Ex-Sheriff Creamer Dies" (PDF). New York Times. July 20, 1913. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2022.
31. ^ "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. March 8, 1902. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
32. "Norman Dike Dies. On Bench 25 Years. Former State Supreme Court Justice, Had Been Kings County Judge, Sheriff". New York Times. April 16, 1953.
33. "Sheriff Melody Assumes Office". The Daily Standard Union. January 2, 1903. p. 12.
34. "Crowley Wentworth Dies From Injuries. Body of Former Attorney in U.S. Department of Justice Sent to Washington After Services Here". New York Times. January 12, 1928.
35. "Charles Blakeslee Law". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
36. "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. January 16, 1941.
37. "Daniel Joseph Griffin". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
38. "J. V. Mangano, 83, Brooklyn Politician, Dies". The New York Times. Vol. CXXXVIII, no. 47673. October 29, 1988. p. 12.
39. "Two Wives Share in Estate. One Is Widow of Sheriff Stier, the Other Her Sister, Whom He Divorced". New York Times. October 29, 1916.
40. "Peter Hercules Wendover". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
41. "Death Of Ex-Coroner Rollins. He Is Found Dead In His Bed At The Union-place Hotel. A Sketch Of His Career" (PDF). New York Times. December 5, 1878. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
42. "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" (PDF). New York Times. March 6, 1907. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
43. "James O'Brien". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
44. ^ "New Public Officers. Sheriff Bowe And County Clerk Butler Take Possession Of Their Offices" (PDF). New York Times. January 2, 1880. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
45. ^ "Death Of Peter Bowe. Harlem Politician Who Was Elected Sheriff on the Irving Hall Ticket. Major of Tammany Regiment". New York Times. March 3, 1903.
46. "Barney Martin, Old Tammany Man, Dies" (PDF). New York Times. August 11, 1914. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2022.
47. "Tamsen Enters His Denial. The Sheriff Says Charges Against Him Are Founded in Malice" (PDF). New York Times. May 12, 1896. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2022.
48. ^ "Sheriff Foley Tries The Big Jail Key". New York Times. January 2, 1908.
49. "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. January 3, 1928. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
50. "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" (PDF). New York Times. November 10, 1914. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 24, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2009.
51. "Alfred E. Smith Dies Here at 70. 4 Times Governor". New York Times. October 4, 1944. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
52. "Peter Joseph Dooling". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
53. "James George Donovan". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
54. "Elected in 1939 for 3-Year Term, W.J. Dempsey Says He Still Has 'Year to Go'". New York Times. January 1, 1942.
55. "Sheriff Turns Over Office". New York Times. January 4, 1942.
56. "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. April 15, 1929. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
57. Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Donnelly". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
58. "7 Nov 1917, Page 3 - The Sun at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. New York Sun. November 7, 1917. p. 3. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
59. "SHERIFF DONNELLY RESIGNS; Governor Names Thomas H. O'Neill to Succeed Bronx Official". The New York Times. December 31, 1920. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
60. "What's in a Name - New York City Housing Authority". Archived from the original on May 20, 2011.
61. Fitzpatrick, Benedict (1927). Wells, James L.; Haffen, Louis F.; Briggs, Josiah A. (eds.). The Bronx and its People, a History, 1609-1927. Vol. III. New York, N.Y.: The Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc. pp. 111–112 – via Internet Archive.

External links

• Official website

v t e New York City
Index of New York City-related articles
By topic	History timeline Neighborhoods ethnic enclaves Architecture Art Deco monuments skyscrapers People Media Economy companies Geography Climate Flags Environmental issues environment food and water rats Demographics history Directories Brooklyn Manhattan Queens
Boroughs	The Bronx (Bronx County) Brooklyn (Kings County) Manhattan (New York County) Queens (Queens County) Staten Island (Richmond County)
Government	Mayor Elections Council Borough presidents Community Districts Politics City agencies Toilets
Emergency services	Hospitals Fire Police crime law enforcement Emergency Management
Transportation	History Entities DOT former BOT Vision Zero Initiative Port Authority Metropolitan Transportation Authority Subway Bus Staten Island Railway Long Island Rail Road Metro-North Railroad PATH Bridges and tunnels Streets Airports John F. Kennedy International Airport LaGuardia Airport Newark Liberty International Airport
Culture	Arts Books Community gardens Cuisine Dialect accent Farmers' markets Libraries Brooklyn New York (Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island) Queens Museums Music Nicknames Big Apple "Sixth borough" Sports Traditional games Tourism gardens landmarks parks
Education	Dept. of Education Elementary schools High schools Colleges
History	Timeline Prehistory-1664 New Amsterdam 1665–1783 1784–1854 1855–1897 Civil War Annexed District (1874) East Bronx expansion (1895) 1898 expansion 1898–1945 1946–1977 1978–present 9/11 terror attacks (2001) COVID-19 pandemic and Deltacron hybrid variant (2020–2021) Moving Day Tammany Hall
New York City portal Category

v t e Law enforcement in New York City
State	New York State Court Officers Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (MTAPD) Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) New York State Police New York State University Police Roosevelt Island Department of Public Safety MTA Bridges and Tunnels Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor Police
City	Department of Correction City University of New York Public Safety Department Department of Environmental Protection Police Fire Department Fire Marshals Department of Health and Hospitals Police Department of Homeless Services Police Human Resources Administration Police Department of Citywide Administrative Services Police Department of Investigation Parks Enforcement Patrol Police Department (NYPD) Department of Probation Department of Sanitation Police School Safety Agents Sheriff's Office New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission New York City Marshals
Private	Co-op City Department of Public Safety Hunts Point Department of Public Safety New York Racing Association Law Enforcement and Safety Division Spring Creek Towers Department of Public Safety (Starrett City) Sea Gate Police Department Parkchester Department of Public Safety
Crime in New York City

• 1626 establishments in the Dutch Empire
• Government of New York City
• Sheriffs' departments of New York (state)
• Law enforcement agencies of New York City
• Law enforcement in the New York metropolitan area
• New York City Department of Finance