(a) The commissioner and the directors of in-patient facilities in the office of mental health may designate safety officers to act as special police officers whose duty it shall be, under orders of the appropriate officer, to preserve peace and good order in facilities of such office and to fully protect the grounds, buildings, and patients. Such safety officers acting as special police officers shall possess all the powers of peace officers, as set forth in section 2.20 of the criminal procedure law, while performing duties in or arising out of the course of their employment. Such peace officers when acting pursuant to their special duties may issue and serve a simplified traffic information and appearance ticket, in the form prescribed by the commissioner of motor vehicles pursuant to section two hundred seven of the vehicle and traffic law, upon a person when he or she has reasonable cause to believe that such person has committed a traffic infraction in his or her presence, and shall have the power to issue and serve an appearance ticket as defined in section 150.10 of the criminal procedure law for an offense other than a felony in lieu of an arrest.

(b) The commissioner shall cause to be developed and implemented a comprehensive training program for such safety officers. Such a program is to be provided to persons hired as safety officers within five weeks after such hiring, and shall include, but need not be limited to training in the following areas: 1. fire prevention; 2. basic criminal law; 3. first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation; 4. conducting investigations; 5. rudimentary police work, including issuance of summons, traffic control, and lawful use of force; 6. proper use of restraint; and 7. any other training deemed necessary to augment such person's skills in providing necessary safety and security services for the facility.