St. Joseph’s Health Security Officers to Receive Peace Officer Status Amid Rising Violence
Security officers at St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse, along with those at North Medical Center and Northeast Medical Center in Fayetteville, will soon be granted peace officer status. This change follows a new state law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on July 24. The legislation empowers qualified security officers to intervene in situations that previously required local law enforcement response. St. Joseph’s Health has reported a 60% increase in violence against staff, including punching, kicking, and biting, over the past six years, with a 100% increase in the Emergency Department. The new authority aims to allow hospital security to de-escalate situations earlier and reduce the need for police intervention in lower-level incidents. 
