The New York City Police Department School Safety Division is the law enforcement agency for New York City Department of Education schools. The agency is a division of the New York City Police Department, and is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in New York City and the United States with approximately 5,000 school safety agents and 200 police officers.HistoryThe New York City Police Department School Safety Division was formed in 1998 when the School Safety force was transferred from the New York City Department of Education to the New York City Police Department. Since then, the School Safety force has expanded in duties and in number of officers. In 2006, NYPD School Safety Agents were classified Civil Service Status with the first DCAS Civil Service exam given on June 9, 2007.MissionThe mission of the NYPD School Safety Division is to provide a safe environment, conducive to learning, where students and faculty can be free from hostility and disruptions which could negatively impact on the educational process.Power and authoritySchool Safety Agents are designated as New York City special patrolman. School Safety Agents can make warrantless arrests, carry and use handcuffs, and use physical force.Uniform and vehiclesSchool safety agents wear french blue uniform shirts with dark blue pants, almost indentical to the NYPD's Traffic Enforcement Agents with the exception of their eight-point uniform caps. SSAs use the dark blue caps just as uniformed Police Officers do. Their badge is oval with an eagle on top, in contrast to the shield worn by police officers. School Safety vehicles are either dark blue with white decals or white with light blue decals.
