Five correction officer organizations representing workers in New York City and three downstate counties endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection Friday, citing retirement benefits, staffing and workplace protections.
Hochul's campaign announced endorsements from correction officers' benevolent associations in New York City, Rockland, Orange and Westchester counties, as well as the Superior Officers Council of Rockland County. The release did not include a membership vote total or say how many officers the groups represent.
The groups' statements focused on different state and local measures. Their endorsements are campaign positions, not an endorsement by every correction officer in New York.
Retirement benefits and staffing
Hochul and the New York City union pointed to the restoration of a 20-year retirement benefit for its members. Hochul said her administration had also worked to improve staffing and conditions in a workforce she described as stretched thin.
New York City union President Benny Boscio said the retirement change could help recruit officers and improve staffing. He said his union's head count has fallen 40% since 2020, a figure provided by the union in the campaign release.
Westchester union President Steve Torsiello cited legislation extending lump-sum death benefits to beneficiaries of county correction officers who work beyond retirement eligibility but die before retiring. The release did not give the measure's effective date or specify how many workers it affects.
Orange County union President Armond Della Pia also cited enhanced death-benefit legislation for eligible county correction personnel. His statement said both houses of the Legislature had passed the measure; it did not say whether the governor had signed it.
Rockland groups cite retention and working conditions
Rockland union President Marcos Munoz said his organization backed Hochul because of her approach to law enforcement and officer safety. His statement did not identify a specific new policy request.
Jodi Michel, president of the county's Superior Officers Council, credited Hochul with signing legislation addressing a residency issue for Rockland correction personnel. Michel said the measure resolved uncertainty about continued employment for experienced officers, though the release did not spell out its terms.
The endorsements come from organizations in New York City, Rockland, Orange and Westchester counties. The campaign release did not announce an endorsement from a Finger Lakes correction officer organization.
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