Division of Criminal Justice Services

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Criminal Justice Policy Boards

The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) supports the work of nine statutorily required boards that formulate public policy and develop strategic plans in the areas of forensic science and access to the state’s DNA Databank; registration of individuals required to register as sex offenders and community safety; transfer of individuals on parole and probation supervision among states; youth justice policy and race equity work; law enforcement accreditation standards; prevention of motor vehicle theft and fraud; police, peace and correction officer training requirements, instructor certification and guidance for local law enforcement agencies; and security guard training requirements, instructor certification, and approval of security guard training schools. Members of these boards are appointed by the Governor, often upon recommendation of subject-matter experts and the state Legislature.

Meetings of these boards are open to the public and live-streamed. Meeting dates, times, locations, and meeting materials are available on this website’s Open Meetings/Webcasts page. Meetings are recorded and available on YouTube.

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Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders

The Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders developed guidelines and procedures to assess the threat posed to public safety and the risk of a repeat offense by individuals who are required to register as sex offenders. Applying these guidelines, the Board makes a confidential recommendation to the sentencing court as to whether an individual warrants the designation of sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender, and risk level (1-low, 2- moderate, 3-high). The sentencing court makes the final decision about an individual’s risk level, which determines the type of information that is available to the public and whether that information is available online or by calling a toll-free number.

The Board also provides the court with an updated report if an individual who is registered seeks to modify their risk level, or a district attorney’s office seeks to petition the court for an increased risk level for an individual. In addition, the board determines whether individuals convicted of sex offenses in jurisdictions outside of New York State are required to register upon establishing residency in the state. The Board also provides a risk level recommendation to the Court in the jurisdiction where the individual lives. District attorneys’ offices are responsible for recommending designations and risk levels for individuals sentenced to probation or a conditional discharge.

The Board’s duties, functions and membership are detailed in the Sex Offender Registration Act (New York State Correction Law Section 168-l).

Commission on Forensic Science | DNA Subcommittee

The Commission on Forensic Science | DNA Subcommittee oversees the state’s DNA Databank. The Commission develops minimum standards and a program of accreditation for all public forensic laboratories in New York State, among other responsibilities. The DNA Subcommittee grants accreditation to public DNA laboratories and advises the Commission on any matter related to the implementation of scientific controls and quality assurance procedures for the performance of forensic DNA analysis. State law requires individuals convicted and sentenced for felony offenses and all Penal Law misdemeanors to provide a DNA sample.

The functions, duties and membership of the Commission and DNA Subcommittee are detailed in state Executive Law Article 49-B Sections 995 – 995-b.

Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision

The Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision provides input on the state’s participation in the national Interstate Commission of Adult Offender Supervision, which regulates the movement of individuals under probation and parole supervision across state lines. The Council’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: advising on the development of policy concerning the operations and procedures of the Interstate Compact  within the state; promoting collaboration among state and local law enforcement agencies and the courts to achieve greater compliance with the Compact and its governing rules; making recommendations about Compact operations and procedures to achieve accountability for individuals under supervision and safeguarding the public, including victims of crime.

The Interstate Compact gives New York and other states the authority to establish a Council and its duties as detailed in New York State Executive Law Article 12-B Section 259-mm. Part E of Section 21 of Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2013 details the Council’s membership.

Juvenile Justice Advisory Group

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Group oversees the allocation of about $2.1 million in federal grants that fund delinquency prevention efforts, effective interventions for justice-involved youth, and improvements to youth justice systems. It also monitors the state’s compliance with the four core requirements of the federal law: sight and sound separation of juvenile delinquents from adult offenders, deinstitutionalization of status offenders, removal of juvenile delinquents from adult jails and lockups, and reducing disproportionate minority contact in the juvenile justice system. The Juvenile Justice Advisory Group also supervises the preparation, administration and implementation of the state’s juvenile justice plan.

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Group’s duties and membership are detailed in federal law, New York State Executive Order 80, and the group’s bylaws.

Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council

The Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council oversees the state’s voluntary law enforcement agency accreditation program. The Council develops and approves program standards and adopts policies that determine how the program is administered and has the sole authority to award accreditation to an agency. The Council also oversees a mandatory certification process for agencies that employ police officers (as defined in paragraphs b, c, d, e, f, j, k, l, o, p, s and u of Criminal Procedure Law 1.20.34) to ensure that agencies comply with mandatory hiring standards and reporting requirements to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

The Council’s duties and membership are detailed in state Executive Law Article 36 Section 846-h.

Motor Vehicle Theft & Insurance Fraud Prevention Board

The Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Board oversees a demonstration program that supports initiatives designed to reduce motor vehicle theft and related motor vehicle insurance fraud. The program provides state funds to support police and prosecutors in communities with high incidents of motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud, allowing those jurisdictions to support specialized law enforcement strategies to combat the crimes. The Board also develops an annual plan with recommendations on how to reduce motor vehicle theft and motor vehicle insurance fraud statewide.

The functions, duties and membership of the Board are detailed in New York State Executive Law Article 36-A Sections 846-i – 846-m.

Municipal Police Training Council

The Municipal Police Training Council sets the requirements for statutorily mandated police and peace officer basic training in New York State; establishes minimum training standards for in-service training that employers of police officers, peace officers and county correction officers provide at their discretion; establishes police and peace officer instructor certifications; and develops model policies that provide guidance and support to law enforcement agencies, among other responsibilities.

The Council’s duties and membership are detailed in state Executive Law Article 35 Sections 839, 840 and 841.

Security Guard Advisory Council

The Security Guard Advisory Council addresses program and policy requirements and recommends rules and regulations to the commissioner of the state Division of Criminal Justice Services related to approval or revocation of security guard training schools and training programs; the minimum courses of study and all training requirements to be fulfilled by schools; the minimum qualifications for instructors at approved security guard training schools and training programs; and training requirements for unarmed and armed security guards.

The Council’s duties and membership are detailed in state Executive Law Article 35 Sections 841-a – 841-c.