The Police Benevolent Association of New York State has endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection, citing a 20-year pension for members in two retirement tiers, police academy staffing and public-safety investments.
The union, which represents about 1,200 members of the state's Agency Police Services Unit, announced its endorsement Friday in a statement from President Chris Rola.
Its members include State University Police, State Park Police, Environmental Conservation Police and Forest Rangers. The union serves as the exclusive bargaining agent for those four groups.
Pension and staffing changes
Rola said legislation securing a 20-year pension for PBA members in Tier 5 and Tier 6 was a critical step toward helping the state recruit and retain the officers the union represents. He also credited Hochul with taking steps to address disparities in pay and pensions.
The union said Hochul's administration has consistently authorized police academies to support staffing for its members' specialized assignments, which require advanced training and equipment.
Rola also pointed to continuous recruitment of State Park Police officers, saying that authorization has helped rebuild the agency's ranks.
While praising those changes, Rola said the union still wants to work with Hochul on public safety and improvements in members' pay, pensions and benefits.
Union cites public-safety spending
The PBA credited Hochul with nearly $4 billion in public-safety investments benefiting officers, law enforcement agencies and communities across New York. In its endorsement statement, the union attributed a 10% reduction in index crimes and a 60% decline in shooting-related deaths to her investments.
Rola said that support for law enforcement demonstrated Hochul's opposition to the “Defund the Police” movement and her commitment to reducing crime.
The union's members work across several state services. University Police protect students, faculty and staff at 29 SUNY campuses, while Park Police patrol state parks and historic sites.
Forest Rangers protect state forests and other state lands, suppress wildfires and conduct search-and-rescue missions. Environmental Conservation Police enforce environmental laws, including protections for food, water and air.
The PBA was established in 2011.
File photo of Gov. Kathy Hochul.
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