Following a series of high-profile, dangerous incidents involving its members, the New York State Troopers PBA is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to pass legislation mandating the creation of a State Police critical incident leave policy to help Troopers cope with the extreme stress and trauma these interactions can cause.
Sponsored by state Sen. Jeremy Cooney and Assemblymember Patrick Burke, the bill (S2681/A6452) would require new State Police policy that establishes up to 30 days of paid leave to ensure that Troopers have sufficient time to process and recover from their direct involvement in a dangerous use of force incident that led to death or serious injury of another person. Up to 15 days of paid leave would be available for Troopers indirectly involved in these incidents.
The voluntary leave time would ensure Troopers are not put in a position in which they must deal with stigma or financial penalties for taking extended time off to fully recover and prepare to safely return to work.
This legislative push follows four critical incidents that occurred over a span of just three days in which Troopers were exposed to traumatic events and, in some cases, discharged their weapons, resulting in civilian deaths. These incidents, which are still under official review, include an exchange of gunfire with a man who targeted a State Police barracks in Saratoga County, two incidents the following day in Saratoga and Sullivan counties, and an early-morning domestic dispute on April 12 in Orange County in which a woman pointed a gun at responding Troopers.
As outlined in legislation, a critical incident policy for the New York State Police would set a nation-leading standard for how law enforcement agencies help officers address issues following traumatic incidents. Currently, only Kentucky and Texas have formally adopted standards regarding critical incidents, with few safeguards that ensure adequate leave is offered by individual departments that opt in.
Lack of critical incident leave is one of several factors leading to the significant burnout that is forcing troopers out of the profession earlier and at higher rates than ever before. Since 2006, New York has seen a 520% increase in annual trooper retirements, from 49 in 2006 to 304 in 2024. Including senior investigators, 2024 retirements were even higher, hitting 470 in total. At the same time, the average retirement age and number of years of service at retirement both dropped to an average of 49 years old and 23 years of service over the past three years — the lowest in nearly two decades.
Meanwhile, with only 176 recruits graduating with the latest State Police Academy class earlier this year and the state reducing the number of classes per year back to two, New York is approaching a point at which the losses of veteran Troopers will overwhelm the addition of new Troopers.
“Every single day our Troopers show remarkable resolve and professionalism as they bravely protect their fellow New Yorkers, sometimes at the risk of their own physical and mental well-being,” said New York State Troopers PBA President Charles W. Murphy. “We are highly trained in how to manage stressful situations with aplomb, diffuse tension, and cope with the aftereffects. A robust critical incident leave policy would be an extra layer of protection for those who need time to work through their coping mechanisms so they can give their all when they return to the road.”
PTSD rates in police officers are reported as high as 19%, according to the National Institutes of Health, double the rates among the general population nationwide. And while about half of all American adults will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives, a 2023 research analysis published by the FBI found members of law enforcement are exposed to an average of 178 traumatic incidents throughout their career.
“Our New York State Troopers are putting their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, inevitably leading to situations that can leave a physical and mental toll on our officers. In New York, we owe it to these officers to make sure they’re taken care of and given the space they need to recover from these critical incidents,” said State Senator Jeremy Cooney. “That’s why I’m proud to sponsor the bill that would create a uniform paid leave policy for troopers involved in these incidents and make sure we’re prioritizing the needs and well-being of those serving New Yorkers.”
“Officers endure substantial trauma after a critical incident,” said State Senator Patrick Burke. “We have a responsibility to them and their families, but also to the communities they serve, to make sure they are mentally and emotionally sound before returning to work. Prioritizing officer wellness is not a political issue. It is the right thing to do for the officers who carry some of society’s heaviest burdens and it makes our communities safer.”
“First responders routinely face highly stressful and traumatic situations as they fulfill their duties to protect and serve our communities. The nature of their work exposes them to traumatic events, loss, and constant pressure, which can have profound effects on their mental well-being. It is imperative that we take concrete steps to help support their mental health,” said Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS). “One of those steps is to provide a unified policy that mandates paid leave after engagement with a serious physical incident. To provide a 30-day window will give them the ability to begin their own healing process and help create a supportive environment after the traumatic events that they witnessed. That is why the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) supports S.2681A. We thank Senator Cooney and Assembly member Burke for introducing this legislation.”
“NAMI New York State supports the creation of a critical incident policy for the State Police,” said Nathan McLaughlin, Executive Director of the National Health Alliance for New York State (NAMI). “Taking time away from stressful situations is critical to rebuilding resilience, prioritizing mental wellness, and seeking help if needed. We know the accumulation of stressful events can lead to adverse mental health outcomes. Taking this step to allow individuals to process and engage in restorative activities will lead to healthier officers and communities.”
“On June 16th, 2023, I was involved in a critical incident when I was fired upon as I approached a vehicle on a traffic stop. I was immediately shot in my left shoulder, but the incident did not end there. The shooting continued for another 8 minutes, and the first backup arrived in about 11 minutes. Shock, disbelief, anxiety, fear, depression, guilt, PTSD, numbness, hypervigilance, these are only a few of the unseen emotional and psychological effects stemming from a critical incident,” said Trooper Richard K. Albert. “A critical incident not only impacts the first responder, but it also impacts their family, friends and community. First responders should be able to come back to work when they are ready, not when they are told to come back. They need time to process and heal. They, and only they know when they have had enough time and space to recover in order to return to work as a healthier, more effective individual.”
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