New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 21 - Miscellaneous
Chapter I - Waterfront Commission Of New York Harbor
Part 5 - Port Watchman
Section 5.0 - Mission

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 12, March 20, 2024

(a) The port watchman is assigned to a company's facilities to protect all property within the limits of the facility and to protect and to protect the lives of employees and others on the property. This includes:

(1) providing building and premises security to the employer's property;

(2) enforcing company policies and procedures;

(3) making vehicular and foot patrols and performing security checks;

(4) providing effective gate and exit control to insure compliance with any instituted badge control or pass control system;

(5) regulating and directing traffic as necessary and as permitted by local laws;

(6) preventing theft, arson, sabotage;

(7) responding to alarm signals;

(8) to observe and report fire and safety hazards;

(9) promoting safety to prevent accidents;

(10) furthering goodwill and public relations;

(11) submitting routine and special reports to supervisors as well as shift logs and records; and

(12) enforcing rules and policies that have been established for the protection of the facility and personnel.

(b) The port watchman is not a police officer, nor does he/she have any police powers of arrest. The port watchman's rights and powers are no more and no less than those of any U.S. citizen. The port watchman is subject to civil suit for false arrest or imprisonment under any circumstances if the security officer detains someone illegally. The port watchman's duty is to prevent rather than to apprehend. The port watchman is under a duty to notify law enforcement authorities of any criminal conduct they become aware of or observe.

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