Department of Homeless Services Peace Officer Academy
Overview
The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Peace Officer Academy, an NCCRS member since June 2019, provides law enforcement training to Department of Homeless Services Peace Officers responsible for enforcing state and city law, and maintaining a safe environment at homeless shelters throughout New York City. Through a memorandum of understanding that was signed in 2017 between the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and Department of Homeless Services, the NYPD is responsible for training DHS Peace Officers, consistent with the NYPD Police Academy and New York State Division of Criminal Justice System standards.
Originally part of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) became an independent mayoral agency in 1993 when, then Mayor David Dinkins, sought to more extensively alter the city’s homeless policies. In 1997, a rise in the homeless population and an increase in the number of shelters resulted in the Department of Homeless Services forming its own police force consisting of 65 Peace Officers. Currently, there are over 700 DHS Peace Officers that, in partnership with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), continue to improve how security services are delivered in the New York City Shelter System.
Students and admissions representatives please note: NCCRS does not provide transcripts. Transcript requests and inquiries should be directed to the organization offering the courses, examinations or apprenticeship. See the Source of Official Student Records in the sidebar near the top right side of this page.
Source of Official Student Records
Course Categories
Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences
- 1. CPR - Basic Life Support Providers Course
- 2. Criminal Law
- 3. Crisis Intervention Training
- 4. Police Administration and Operations
Course 1: 12 hours. Course 2: 48.50 hours. Course 3: 40 hours. Course 4: 58 hours.
Course 1, 2, 3 and 4: March 2018 - Present.
Course 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: perform CPR on an unresponsive infant, child, and adult using an Automated External Defibrillator and breathing mask; demonstrate when and how to assist a responsive and unresponsive choking infant, child, and adult; provide basic care for injuries and sudden illnesses until advanced medical personnel arrive; and be certified by the American Heart Association in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Course 2: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: Identify the more commonly invoked Criminal Law statutes and recognize their applications as it pertains to the scope of their duties; identify commonplace violations under NYS Penal Law and local law and take proper enforcement action when necessary, while adhering to NYS Criminal Procedure Law. Course 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: identify behaviors and label emotions that are common for individuals who are experiencing emotional distress; understand the dynamics of crisis; respect the individual in distress and involve them in the decision-making process; recognize how substance use and mental health disorders contribute to crisis; utilize de-escalation skills and tactics to reduce harm to an individual in crisis and the officer; and recognize the importance of self-care. Course 4: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: explain the history and hierarchy of the Department of Homeless Services; enforce the policies that govern NYC shelters; perform the daily duties and responsibilities of a DHS Peace Officer; implement policing strategies, including access control procedures that strengthen shelter security; and operate security equipment, including metal detectors and x-ray machines.
Course 1: Instruction is offered via classroom through the use of study guides, video-based learning, scenarios, required and supplemental readings, and skills tests. Topics include: scene safety and assessment, chest compressions, giving breaths (mouth-to-mouth and with a mask), use of an Automated External Defibrillator, responsive and unresponsive choking, universal precautions and exposure to blood, respiratory emergencies, emergency action principles, diagnostic and vital signs, bleeding control, shock, poisoning, burns, fractures, and the related skills and techniques to administer first aid care in many common accidents and sudden illness situations. Course 2: Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required supplemental readings, quizzes, scenarios, required interactions with instructors and weekly assessments. The course assesses student end-of-program knowledge and skills in printed form via proctored weekly exams and quizzes. Topics include: CPL 2.20: powers of a peace officer, introduction to penal law, constitutional law, standards of proof, civil law, preliminary investigations, interview and interrogation, eyewitness identification, crimes against persons, laws of arrest, arrest processing, desk appearance ticket, civil disorder offenses, summonses, accusatory instruments, judicial process, drug offenses, weapons offenses, theft offenses, domestic violence, sex offenses, property offenses, penal law 265: firearms safety and handling. The curriculum consists of a multitude of topics --from arrest, arraignment, and motion practice through trial and appeal--includes topics of search and seizure, warrants, grand jury proceedings, pretrial discovery, pretrial motions, and speedy trial. The course will survey New York State Penal Law definitions, terminology, application, culpability, classification of crimes and sentences. Course 3: Instruction is provided through classroom interaction, required student guide reading, mental health consumer and service provider panel discussions; comprehensive scenario-based training; documentaries; training videos; interactive group activities; student guide question and answer assignments; quizzes and examinations. Topics include: introduction to the crisis intervention team program, introduction to mental health, state laws and involuntary commitments, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), personality disorders, suicidality, law enforcement vicarious trauma/secondary PTSD, self-awareness/self-care, introduction to crisis communication skills, active listening and non-verbal communication, motivational interviewing, crisis negotiation, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, developmental and intellectual disorders, cognitive disorders, medical induced psychosis, interpersonal communication during crisis situations, de-escalation skills and conflict resolution, collaborative problem-solving, and officer safety and tactical responses to individuals who are in distress. Course 4: Instruction is offered via classroom learning through use of student guides, required supplemental readings, weekly quizzes and test, written assignments, and required class participation. Topics include: introduction to Department of Homeless Services police department, introduction to DHS policies, DHS police operations and general regulations, procedural justice, ethics and professionalism, professional communications, LGBTQI procedures, access control, search and seizure, discretionary powers, levels of police intrusion, radio communications, domestic violence-protocol and procedure, child abuse and neglect-reporting and procedures, and report writing.
Course 1, 2, 3 and 4: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 10 semester hours distributed as follows: 3 semester hours in Criminal Law; 3 semester hours in Police Administration and Police Operations; 3 semester hours in Crisis Intervention, and 1 semester hour in Health Science or Physical Education (for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training) (6/19). NOTE: All four courses must be successfully completed to gain access to college credit recommendations.