N.Y. Second Class Cities Law § 57

§ 57. Additional powers and duties. The mayor shall have such other\npowers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed in this\nchapter or by other laws of the state or by ordinance of the common\ncouncil, not inconsistent with law. In case of riot, conflagration or\nother public emergency requiring it, the mayor shall have power to call\nout the police and firefighters; he or she shall also have power to\nappoint such number of special police officers as he or she may deem\nnecessary to preserve the public peace. Such special police officers\nshall be under the sole control of the regularly appointed and\nconstituted officers of the police department. They have shall have\npower to make arrests only for disorderly conduct or other offenses\nagainst peace or good order. In case of riot or insurrection, he or she\nmay take command of the whole police force, including the chief\nexecutive officer thereof.\n