New York’s State Police could soon gain guaranteed mental health leave after traumatic incidents, pending approval from Gov. Kathy Hochul, according to Spectrum News. The proposed law, passed this session, aims to support officers coping with repeated exposure to trauma.
Troopers union leader Charles Murphy is urging Hochul to sign the bill, citing alarming FBI data that shows law enforcement officers face nearly 180 traumatic events over their careers — far more than the general public. He believes the policy could help with officer retention amid widespread staffing shortages.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Cooney and Assemblymember Patrick Burke, seeks to formalize recovery time for those in uniform after critical incidents — a step Murphy says is long overdue.
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