The Overview
If you work security at the Ardsley Village Court in New York, you now have peace officer status under state law. New York's Grants security officers serving at the village of Ardsley village court peace officer status, A 3988 became law when Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed it July 24. It sits below full police officer standing but above that of a private security guard, and it typically comes with authority to make arrests and carry a firearm in connection with official duties.
What the Law Does
Security officers working at the Ardsley village court are now designated peace officers under New York law. That designation matters in practical terms: it gives those officers legal authority they did not previously hold when maintaining order inside the courthouse, including the power to make arrests on the premises.
Those who are not already police officers or peace officers must complete training to hold that status. That training requirement is a standard condition attached to peace officer designations in New York, ensuring that newly designated officers meet a baseline before exercising expanded powers. The law amends New York's Criminal Procedure Law, which is the statute that defines who qualifies as a peace officer across the state, to add Ardsley village court security officers to that list.
Legislative Status
Asm. MaryJane Shimsky (D-NY-92) sponsored the bill, which had no cosponsors. The path to passage took about 16 months, from its first action in January 2025 to Senate approval in June 2026: the Assembly first passed it, the bill then died in the Senate, and the Assembly had to pass it a second time before the Senate finally acted.
The Assembly passed the bill 133–14 on June 10, 2025. After the bill returned from the Senate, the Assembly passed it again on Feb. 5, 2026, 128–14, five fewer yes votes than the first time. The Senate passed it June 4, 2026, 58–2.
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