City Marshal Applications Available

For Immediate Release
March 23, 2004
Contact: Steven M. Cohen
(212) 479-6223

Steven M. Cohen, Chairman of the Mayor's Committee on City Marshals, announced today the Committee is soliciting new applications for appointment to the office of City Marshal. Application forms and detailed information regarding the requirements for appointment may be obtained on-line at www.nyc.gov/marshals or in-person at the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), 80 Maiden Lane, New York, NY.

Mr. Cohen said, "For the first time in nearly a decade, the Mayor's Committee on City Marshals is actively recruiting qualified new candidates to serve the public as City Marshals. Because marshals enforce sensitive court orders and must operate as self-sustaining businesses, we want to find qualified candidates of proven honesty, integrity, courtesy, mature judgment, and management ability to recommend to Mayor Bloomberg."

City Marshals are independent public officers, not salaried City employees, said Mr. Cohen. They earn fees, set by State law, for enforcing the orders of the New York City Civil Court, including evictions, serving legal notices, and collecting money judgments. City Marshals must follow strict rules and keep detailed records prescribed by the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court and the DOI Commissioner.

Qualifications for appointment as a City Marshal include United States citizenship, New York City residence at the time of appointment, a minimum age of 18, high school graduation or its equivalent, submission of required background and financial information to DOI, satisfactory completion of an approved training program, and a demonstrated ability to obtain a required bond, which is currently $100,000. Candidates must undergo DOI background checks and be recommended for appointment by the Mayor's Committee on Marshals.

Mr. Cohen said that the Committee is looking for applicants who demonstrate honesty, integrity, maturity, good judgment, courtesy and respect toward the public and the City's diverse communities, as well as initiative, motivation, strong communication skills and a physical ability to perform the job. Added Mr. Cohen, the Committee will consider favorably candidates who have successfully held a position of public trust or fiduciary responsibility and those with a background in law enforcement or the military; experience managing a business or personnel; an interest in and record of community service; and college or advanced degrees. The Committee provides equal opportunity to all qualified applicants.

There are currently 38 City Marshals who carry out thousands of court orders each year. According to state law, the Mayor may appoint up to 83 City Marshals

Recognizing the need for more City Marshals, Mayor Bloomberg reactivated and reconstituted the Mayor's Committee on Marshals in September 2003. The 15 appointees are unpaid and include retired appellate justices, attorneys, and others with substantial legal and law enforcement experience.