N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 423

§ 423. Peace officers and their duties. The officers and members of\nthe state police, any local police department and any peace officer\nacting pursuant to his special duties shall have and exercise the power\nand it shall be their duty to investigate and make arrests for\nviolations of the provisions of this chapter. They shall investigate any\ntheft of a motor vehicle or trailer, of which they receive notice or\nhave information, and arrest or cause the arrest of any person where\nreasonable grounds exist to believe that such person has stolen a motor\nvehicle or trailer, and, when necessary for such arrest, make complaint\non information before the proper court or magistrate.\n