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Gillibrand is off base because of police staffing shortages, cops say

Theo

HUDSON VALLEY – U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, one of New York’s two U.S. senators, has pushed for a bill that would help address staffing shortages that have recently plagued many police departments in New York and across the country and has made campaign stops across the state to promote a new bill during election season.

On Friday, Gillibrand was in Albany looking for a solution to the police shortage. “In a statement after her stop in the state capital, Gillibrand said, “Police departments across New York are facing an unprecedented workforce shortage,” while announcing a bipartisan bill she co-sponsors: the “Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act.” .

The bipartisan bill. Gillibrand says he will “provide $24 million in federal funding for each of the next five fiscal years.” for child care services to support the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe.”

Along with Capitol Region elected officials, Gillibrand claimed: “Providing child care services is a powerful tool to attract and retain new talent and is an essential way to promote public safety while maintaining a robust law enforcement workforce,” he added “My bipartisan bill, the Law on the provision of child care for police officers, would help provide these essential services and help police departments retain them and recruit the best talent to our law enforcement agencies.”

Several area police officers spoke to Mid Hudson News after Gillibrand’s announcement in Albany. “We didn’t have a staffing shortage until state officials handcuffed police and started coddling criminals so that people charged with attempted murder could return to the community without bail,” said an official from an Ulster County police department, speaking anonymously wanted to stay. “Child care is not the problem,” he said, continuing: “It is outdated civil service laws that make lateral transfers difficult and experienced officers retiring in droves because of New York’s dangerous bail reform laws.” Senator Gillibrand misses the point the goal of this plan.”

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department is experiencing a significant staffing shortage as officers retire and officers move to other departments that offer better salaries. The department is short about 20 officers, forcing current officers to work extra shifts to fill the gaps. The State Police, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, Poughkeepsie City Police and occasionally MTA Police were all required to respond to calls in the city as Poughkeepsie Police were busy with other duties.

Poughkeepsie City Police Officer and PBA President Kevin Van Wagner said, “Child care is not the issue when it comes to staffing shortages,” while offering his thoughts. “New York State should consider a plan popular in southern states and note that New York’s tiered retirement system makes it nearly impossible for new officials to retire as a Tier 6 member. Van Wagner explained that in the South, an officer who is eligible to retire can sign a contract with his department that guarantees he will stay for another three years or longer. The department or municipality would match the officer’s salary for the duration of the contract and pay a large lump sum at the end of the agreement. Van Wagner said this is an attractive option for officers ready to retire because officers can receive their pension during the individual contract they sign with the department and then receive the substantial lump sum payment at the end of the contract.

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