BPD says policy bars assistance to bail enforcement agents; corporation counsel says city lacks licensing authority

The committee reviewed Item 4 on Oct. 8 to clarify Buffalo Police Department policy on interactions with bail enforcement agents (often described in public discussion as “bounty hunters”).

BPD representatives said the department’s general order establishing the policy has been in effect since March 3, 2021 (General Order 2021‑005). Under that order, the department said it does not assist bail enforcement agents in apprehensions; agents are expected to notify and obtain permission from the local BPD district station before attempting an apprehension.

Acting corporation counsel Robert Quinn told the committee the city has existing laws that touch on failed bondsmen and related matters but does not currently license bail enforcement agents in the manner described by some speakers. Quinn noted there are state licensing requirements for certain bail enforcement activities and said the law department would research whether a local licensing ordinance would be preempted by state rules.

Why it matters: Council members asked whether private bounty hunters operate in city neighborhoods without notice and whether the city can require licensing or other controls to protect public safety. The department said officers are instructed to ask agents to stop in at the district and advise the department of intended locations; the department said it had not recently recorded incidents where agents entered neighborhoods without notifying BPD but did not have monthly request counts available at the meeting.

Committee action: Members moved to table the item pending additional information. The law department agreed to research whether the city can adopt local licensing and whether there are legal liabilities or preemption concerns.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the meeting minutes and included in the speaker list below.