Officers are equipped with straight wood batons when assigned to normal patrol, ASP batons (when assigned to bicycle patrol), bullet resistant vests, police radios directly linked to the Central Dispatcher, flashlights; whistles, handcuffs, notebooks, and reflective traffic vests. With the exception of their badges, which are seven-point stars, in contrast to the shield worn by regular Police Officers, Auxiliary Police officers wear virtually the same uniform as regular officers. Additionally, Auxiliary Police Officers wear the regular NYPD patch on both shoulders with a scroll saying "AUXILIARY" on top. Auxiliary Police officers in New York City are not permitted to carry a sidearm at any time on duty, even if independently licensed to carry a firearm. In other jurisdictions within New York State, some police departments do allow their Auxiliary Police Officers to carry a firearm. Auxiliary Police Officers provide patrol presence, observations and reporting of incidents requiring regular police response. Auxiliary Police Officers may be involved in life or death situations like a full police officer but do not have the option of the use of a firearm. Role of the Auxiliary Police officer Auxiliary Police officers can: Perform crowd control. Perform traffic control and effect street closures at parades, accidents, fires, etc. Perform traffic control at broken traffic lights, accidents, etc. Make arrests for crimes committed in their presence or communicated over a police radio. Give medical aid to anyone as long as they are trained to do so. Carry a police baton and ASP batons in the performance of their duties (NYS Penal Law 265.20 b.). Carry and use handcuff restraints in the performance of their duties (NYC Administrative Code 10-147). Make arrests for crimes not committed in their presence but only if ordered to do so by a regular police officer or a police dispatcher. In 1991, the New York State Court of Appeals determined that Auxiliary Police officers are covered under the "fellow officer rule", and therefore may detain a person based on information from a dispatcher or police officer heard over a police radio or from a police officer in person, and therefore are considered as a law enforcement officer with reliable information when making a report themselves to other law officers. Auxiliary Police officers cannot: Respond to any 911 calls involving any type of weapons or other life endangering situation. Standard Auxiliary Police units Precinct Patrol: Officers patrol their respective precinct. When performing foot