New York State Troopers Want Paid Leave Policy Change

New York officials have introduced a new bill that would require the State Police to develop a policy that provides guaranteed paid leave to any trooper involved in a critical incident.

Paid Leave Policy Change

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has announced that it supports new legislation to support New York State Troopers involved in traumatic events. The proposed bill, Senate Bill S2681A, asks that the Superintendent of the State Police develop a "critical incident" policy for members of the State Police, which would include paid leave for any members directly involved in a critical incident.

If passed, the new bill would provide up to 30 days of paid leave for any Trooper who is directly involved in a dangerous use-of-force incident resulting in death or serious injury. Troopers who are indirectly involved would be eligible for up to 15 days of paid leave, according to WRGB.

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The new legislation would also prohibit State Police officials from taking any punitive administrative action against any Trooper who is granted critical incident leave solely based on the provision of such leave.

Is a Change in Policy Necessary?

The proposed bill, sponsored by state Sen. Jeremy Cooney and Assembly member Patrick Burke, is pushing for a policy change after four critical incidents took place over three days in New York including officer involved shootings in the Orange County, town of Deerpark, NY where a woman pointed a gun at troopers, who then returned fire and an exchange of gunfire at a State Police barracks in Saratoga County, NY.

The proposed leave policy aims to ensure that troopers have the necessary time to recover from similar incidents without facing stigma or financial penalties, and in doing so, they will be able to safely return to work.