The Town of Ramapo hereby establishes a Town Constabulary, the
members of which shall be authorized to act in the capacity of uniformed
court officers, and shall have the responsibilities generally associated
with such position in and about the Town Court as hereinafter set
forth. Town Constables shall be appointed by the Town Board, but shall
work under the direct supervision of the Town Justices.
Persons holding the position of Town Constable shall have the
status of, and shall be granted and exercise the powers of, a "peace
officer" under the general laws of the State of New York.
Town Constables shall have those powers and responsibilities
consistent and generally associated with a court officer in the State
of New York, including but not necessarily limited to:
A. Attending sessions of the Town Court to maintain order and decorum
in the courtroom;
B. Calming disruptive individuals;
C. Barring entry into secure areas of and about the courtroom;
D. Addressing and attending to disruptive prisoners, litigants and spectators
involved in court proceedings;
E. Escorting, guarding and delivering jurors, witnesses and other participants
of court proceedings to and from the courtroom;
F. Escorting, guarding and delivering the Judge and/or Clerk to and
from the courtroom, as may be required;
G. Delivering materials to sequestered juries;
H. Escorting court clerks with bank deposits to and from the court offices
and courthouse to the bank;
I. Using established search procedures and equipment to assure that
no weapons, contraband or other prohibited items or materials are
brought into the courthouse or courtroom;
J. Carrying, displaying and using a firearm, subject to any permit,
training and certification requirements and qualifications otherwise
imposed by law;
K. Effecting arrests as required and authorized.
No person holding the position of Town Constable shall carry
or otherwise possess a firearm on Town property other than in conformity
with state and federal law, and after having successfully completed
such initial training and instruction, and any required in service
of follow-up training and instruction, required for a peace officer
authorized to carry a firearm under the laws of the State of New York.