N.Y. Executive Law Section 837-W*2
Blue alert system

1.

There is established within the division a blue alert system to aid in the identification, location and apprehension of any individual or individuals suspected of killing or seriously wounding any police officer.

2.

For the purposes of this section:

(a)

The term “blue alert” shall mean information sent through the blue alert system related to:

(i)

the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty;

(ii)

an officer who is missing in connection with the officer’s official duties; or

(iii)

an imminent and credible threat that an individual intends to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer.

(b)

The term “law enforcement agency having jurisdiction” shall mean the chief law enforcement officer of the village, town, city, county, or the division of state police that is investigating an offense necessitating the use of a blue alert.

(c)

The term “law enforcement officer” shall mean a state or local police officer.

3.

Upon the request of a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, the division shall issue a blue alert when public dissemination of available information may help avert further harm or accelerate apprehension of the suspect. Such blue alert may be disseminated on a regional or statewide basis. Nothing in this section shall require a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to request a blue alert in any circumstance described in paragraph (a) of subdivision two of this section or to participate in the dissemination of information under the blue alert system.

4.

The division shall coordinate with the department of transportation, the division of state police, and police agencies, and may also coordinate with public commercial television and radio broadcaster organizations, to effectuate notifications under the blue alert system. Information disseminated pursuant to a blue alert may include, but shall not be limited to, a detailed description of the suspect’s vehicle or license plate number and the name of the law enforcement agency that requested the alert.

5.

The division may coordinate with additional state agencies capable of providing urgent and timely information to the public, together with television and radio broadcasters and other private entities, where appropriate, and if authorized and under conditions permitted by the federal government, that consent to participate in the dissemination of urgent public information.

6.

The division shall develop criteria and procedures for activation of the blue alert system, and shall regularly review the function of the blue alert system and revise its criteria and procedures to provide for efficient and effective public notifications.

7.

The provisions of this section shall only apply in the event that the division has been designated to use the federally authorized Emergency Alert System for the issuance of blue alerts.

8.

The division is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of the blue alert system pursuant to this section. * NB There are 2 § 837-w’s

Source: Section 837-W*2 — Blue alert system, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/EXC/837-W*2 (updated Jun. 30, 2023; accessed May 4, 2024).

835
Definitions 836
Division of criminal justice services 837
Functions, powers and duties of division 837‑A
Additional functions, powers and duties of the division 837‑B
Duties of courts and peace officers 837‑C
Processing requests submitted by police departments 837‑D
Soft body ballistic armor vests for police officers 837‑E
Statewide central register for missing children 837‑F
Missing and exploited children clearinghouse 837‑F‑1
Missing vulnerable adults clearinghouse 837‑F‑2
Missing adults 837‑G
Livery vehicle safety training program establishment 837‑H
Livery vehicle safety training program 837‑I
Uniform parking ticket 837‑J
Parking violations enforcement and disposition program 837‑K
Safe house for children 837‑L
Capital prosecution extraordinary assistance program 837‑M
Reporting duties of law enforcement departments with respect to missing children and vulnerable adults 837‑M*2
Criminal history records search for certain employment, appointments, licenses or permits in the city of New York 837‑N
Criminal history information of caregivers 837‑O
Search for arson and sex offense conviction records of volunteer firefighter applicants 837‑P
Criminal history records search for certain licenses and registrations in the county of Westchester 837‑Q
Payments to Westchester county for policing special parkways 837‑R
Office of sex offender management 837‑S
Search for sex offense conviction records of emergency medical technician and other first responder applicants 837‑T
Use of force reporting 837‑U
The division of criminal justice services, in conjunction with the chief administrator of the courts, shall collect data and report annua... 837‑V
Report of discharge of weapon 837‑V*2
Reporting duties of law enforcement departments with respect to arrest-related deaths 837‑W
Technological viability of microstamping-enabled firearms 837‑W*2
Blue alert system 837‑X
Cooperation with certain out-of-state investigations 837‑X*2
Cooperation with certain out-of-state investigations 838
Identification of unknown dead and missing persons 838‑A
Maintenance of sexual offense evidence kits 838‑B
Victim’s right to notice 839
Municipal police training council 840
Functions, powers and duties of council 841
Functions, powers and duties of the commissioner with respect to the council 841‑A
Security guard advisory council 841‑B
Functions, powers and duties of council 841‑C
Functions, powers and duties of the commissioner with respect to the council 841‑D
Saving clause 842
Council rules and regulations promulgated by governor 843
Division homepage on the internet 844‑B
New York state committee for the coordination of police services to elderly persons 845
Central state registry of police officers and peace officers 845‑A
Presentment of flags lowered to half-staff in memorial of the death of any police officer or peace officer 845‑B
Requests for criminal history information 845‑C
Criminal history record searches 845‑D
Criminal record searches: reports for civil purposes 845‑E
Commercial security tax credit program 846
Programs for the aging 846*2
Programs for the aging
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
May 4, 2024

Last modified:
Jun. 30, 2023

§ 837-W*2’s source at nysenate​.gov

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