Security personnel at St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse, N.Y., will be able to serve as peace officers under a new state law aimed at addressing workplace violence in hospitals, according to an Aug. 18 report by Spectrum News 1.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the measure July 24, after it cleared the state Legislature. The law grants qualifying security personnel at St. Joseph’s Health and St. Peter’s Health Partners peace officer status, allowing them to detain individuals and initiate law enforcement procedures while awaiting local police.
Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health, which includes St. Joseph’s, has seen a 60% increase in violent incidents since 2020, according to the report. Over the past 13 months, St. Joseph’s Hospital recorded 165 workplace violence incidents that resulted in 96 lost workdays. Of those incidents, 153 involved physical violence and 12 involved verbal threats.
St. Joseph’s plans to recruit retired law enforcement personnel for the peace officer roles. The officers will carry firearms, while the hospital is evaluating the use of Tasers and body-worn cameras.
Hospital officials said deployment could take up to a year as St. Joseph’s works through logistics, including agreements with local law enforcement agencies.
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