Rochester Regional Health Celebrates Enactment of Peace Officer Designation Legislation

Rochester, NY - Rochester Regional Health (RRH) proudly announces the successful enactment of legislation granting peace officer status to select team members employed by the health system. This critical law enhances safety and security measures at RRH facilities, marking a significant milestone in protecting healthcare environments across the region.

When this program is fully developed and rolled out, specially-trained RRH team members will be designated as peace officers while operating on or adjacent to RRH-owned or controlled properties. With violence in healthcare settings becoming an increasing concern, this designation ensures a safer environment for team members, patients, and visitors.

Tim Tull, VP of Safety and Security at Rochester Regional Health: "This Thanksgiving week, we are thankful to Assemblymember Bronson, Senator Brouk and other members of our local delegation for sponsoring and Governor Hochul for signing this legislation to reinforce our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone within our facilities. This peace officer bill will help us equip our team with the tools and authority needed to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies, prevent violence, and maintain a secure environment for our patients, visitors, and team members."

Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (AD-138): "Rochester Regional Health provides exceptional care and support for families throughout our community, and is known for its welcoming, comforting environment. The Peace Officer legislation will help to ensure that all workers, patients and visitors are safe and secure within the RRH system. This legislation will be another public safety tool to support RRH's ongoing efforts to create a safer environment at their facilities."

Senator Samra G. Brouk (SD-55): "We are grateful to Governor Hochul for signing the Rochester Regional Health Peace Officer Bill to grant peace officer status to RRH security officers. This critical legislation will help keep our community safe by protecting patients and staff in hospital settings. I am proud to be a sponsor for this bill- together, we can help our medical staff and the most vulnerable members of our community feel secure and supported."

In the past 2 years, RRH Safety and Security teams have substantially strengthened the system's ability to prevent instances of violence. They have improved access control, enhanced camera coverage, and mitigated hazards through discussions with front-line teams including recently-established workplace violence committees.

The improvements include increased patrols, new lighting in parking lots, new cameras, a new weapons screening system pilot project, and countless access-control upgrades to ensure that only our team members can come through employee-only secured entrances. Team members are also encouraged to participate in training in de-escalation, situational awareness, and self-defense to equip them for the complex situations that arrive at our doorstep each day.

Healthcare environments require robust security protocols to address growing safety concerns. This law empowers designated RRH security officers to:

• Respond effectively to critical incidents.
• Provide consistency in emergency handling across the community.
• Address unpredictable emergencies promptly.
• Offer timely support to victims in urgent situations.

This mirrors similar designations granted to University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) officers and will enable Rochester Regional Health to collaborate closely with local law enforcement in safeguarding its facilities-and ensuring our team members can continue delivering safe, compassionate care to the communities we proudly serve.

The Legislation was co-sponsored by several members of the New York State Legislature including:

Senator Jeremy A. Cooney (SD-56): "Everyone deserves to feel safe in their time of need, especially patients and their loved ones at our healthcare facilities. That's why I was proud to work alongside Assemblymember Bronson and Senator Brouk to pass this bill for Rochester Regional Health and provide peace officers to ensure the safety of our community members."

Assemblymember Josh Jensen (AD-134): "By granting peace officer status to Rochester Regional Health security officers, New York took a common sense action to ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors with Governor Hochul signing this important legislation into law. I was proud to co-sponsor this legislation, and thank sponsors Assemblymember Bronson and Senator Brouk, and our colleagues in the legislature who supported and ensured that all those at Rochester General Hospital and Unity Hospital, in the 134th Assembly District, will remain safe while on these health care campuses while they access exceptional and integrated care."

Text of the legislation is included here: https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?term=2023&bn=S08714

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About Rochester Regional Health

Rochester Regional Health is an integrated health services organization serving the people of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, St. Lawrence County, and beyond. The system includes nine hospitals; primary and specialty practices, rehabilitation centers, ambulatory campuses and urgent care facilities; innovative senior services, facilities and independent housing; a wide range of behavioral health services; and Rochester Regional Health Laboratories and ACM Global Laboratories, a global leader in patient and clinical trials. Rochester Regional Health is the region's second-largest employer. Learn more at www.rochesterregional.org.

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