News from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer

News from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer Troop C Critical Incident First and foremost, a speedy recovery to Trooper Becky Seager, who suffered injuries when she was shot while responding to a “check on the welfare” complaint on Wednesday evening in Broome County, and to Sgt. Bryan Meehan, who suffered shrapnel wounds to his shoulder. Both members received medical treatment and have been released from the hospital. A job well done to everyone involved in the successful conclusion of the ensuing manhunt. I talk incessantly to politicians as well as the media until I am blue in the face about the inherent dangers that members of law enforcement face every single day. Yet, there are those who believe that you can wrap up our jobs into a perfect little box. This same anti-police group that calls themselves reformists probably still think this type of complaint should have warranted the response of an unarmed social worker rather than members of law enforcement. Please keep your heads on a swivel and back each other up as no complaint is routine! 17th Superintendent As noted in an email earlier this week, the NYSTPBA congratulates Superintendent Kevin Bruen upon his confirmation. I will be the first to admit that I was a bit skeptical two years ago when he was named first deputy superintendent; however, he has proven to be a level-headed, clear-thinking leader since that time. He has my fullest confidence and I firmly believe that the Division of State Police is in extremely capable hands. Oh yeah, before I get a deluge of emails complaining about him wearing our uniform, let me attempt to put that to rest. Kevin Bruen is the superintendent, a position that requires a uniform. We’ve had five superintendents from “outside” our ranks – a physician, former FBI and NYPD members and a former district attorney – and each brought unique visions and ideas to our agency. In addition, we’ve added to our rolls Parkway and Capitol Police officers who wear our uniform admirably. Unless I am proven otherwise, Kevin Bruen should be afforded the same right and privilege. It's Just a Coincidence Over the weekend, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins introduced a bill to amend a $157 million budget line designed to cover lawsuits against the state. In addition to its original use, that pool of money would be available for any impeachments, impeachment trials or “investigations and hearings necessary to inform the decisions relating to such proceedings.” In addition to that news, I see that The Wall Street Journal reported that federal prosecutors have subpoenaed materials related to Cuomo’s book, “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic,” as part of their inquiry into the nursing home data. [Insert segue here] Coincidently, on the same day, Governor Cuomo said that he’ll lift many pandemic-related health restrictions imposed by his administration if New York’s COVID-19 vaccination rate, currently at 68.6 percent statewide, reaches 70 percent. “We hit 70 percent; we will be back to life as normal.” Quote of the Week “A positivity rate of less than one half of one percent and dropping... why does @NYGovCuomo have ANY emergency powers left at this point?” - Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin via Twitter. June 22 Primary Day is on June 22 and we have been watching two mayoral races – New York City and Rochester - with interest. It’s not because we have a vested interest in their outcome, as only a small number of our members can even vote in these elections. No, the results are part of a larger picture and will serve as a litmus test on how voters are reacting to the surge in violence fueled largely by the asinine legislative agenda and the anti-police rhetoric of the so-called reformists. In Rochester, according to a recent survey, Democratic challenger, City Councilmember and police supporter Malik Evans is ahead of embattled incumbent Lovely Warren 48% to 35%. While shootings in NYC are up 68%, Democratic mayoral candidate Maya Wiley continues to want to follow through on her pledge to “defund the police” and cut $1 billion from the NYPD’s budget — at the same time it was revealed that her home is being protected by a private security patrol in her Brooklyn neighborhood. This is despite the fact that in December, she stated that private security was “ridiculous and we shouldn’t have it.” The leader in the polls, retired police officer Eric Adams, has been an advocate of getting tougher on crime. “Stupid is as stupid does” The aforementioned Maya Wiley, a former chair of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, also made news recently when, during a mayoral candidate debate, she would not commit to allowing New York City police officers to remained armed. For the record, the other four candidates — Eric Adams, Andrew Yang, former sanitation commissioner Kathryn Garcia and City Comptroller Scott Stringer — all agreed cops should be allowed to carry weapons. Now Mr. Josey Wales, l'd just as soon shoot you now, except it'd be hard to drag the body to where we can get our price for you. Shoot him now! Shut up, Lige. Move your left hand down and unbuckle that pistol belt. Make it nice and slow so I can count the hairs on that hand. See, Lige? You pull his teeth he's harmless as a heel hound. Always wanted to face out one of these pistol fighters they all fuss about. Only way you handle them. Abe, watch out. He's probably got another pistol... Shut up, Lige. Albany Legislative Update The 2021 legislative session drew to a close without any of the widely advertised anti-police legislation being forced down our throats. The two biggest threats to our profession currently are the abolishment of qualified immunity and the changing of the use of force standards. There have been numerous conversations between myself and our legislative team and the leaders of the Senate and Assembly as well as the Governor’s Office regarding these topics and I can assure you that although law enforcement’s name has taken a hit overall, the reputation and image of the New York State Trooper still shines brightly and we still have a seat at the proverbial table to be included in these high-level conversations. In addition, as I have stated in previous newsletters, the NYSTPBA legislative team worked extremely hard behind the scenes by engaging with the more moderate members of the majority to explain the problems with the proposed bad legislation and how its passage would adversely affect not only law enforcement as a profession, but also its peripheral contribution to the overall rise in violent crime. It apparently worked, as Politico reported this morning, “Sources familiar with the talks said that the chambers did not have the votes to pass the criminal justice bill.” So, I say this to our legislative team – a job well done, gentlemen! However, we cannot and will not sit idly by as Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins stated last night, “There’s always a possibility of coming back,” hinting at an ever-dangerous return this summer for a special session. We will continue to work diligently to protect the rights of our members. Single Payer A really horrible piece of legislation for active members as well as retirees was again stymied by a concerted effort of nearly all public employee labor unions. The New York Health Act, which would do away with all health insurance plans and companies and replace them with a state-run entity, is socialism at its finest. In fact, one of the main proponents for its passage this session was a freshman Democratic Socialist from Brooklyn, Senator Jabari Brisport. The support from a confirmed member of the socialist party should sum it up and I need not comment further but rest assured we will fight this piece-of-shit bill whenever it rears its ugly head in the future. That is a guarantee! Dirty Politics regarding the George Floyd Act Some of you may have seen in the press that the top negotiators on the George Floyd Act, Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA), were circulating legislative language for a police reform compromise. According to my sources in NAPO, that is not the case. Based on their discussions with staff, it seems that Senator Booker has apparently negotiated a deal with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Fraternal Order of Police behind everyone’s back, including Senator Scott’s. Senator Scott, the Republican point-man for the negotiations has NOT agreed to the negotiated text and has concerns with some of the issues negotiated by Senator Booker, the IACP and FOP. NAPO, of which we are a proud member, strongly states that IACP and the FOP do not speak for them or the larger law enforcement community. The simple fact is that Senator Scott’s support is key to Senate Republican support, which is necessary for any bill to pass the Senate and we will probably know in the next two weeks whether a deal can come together on police reform. Congresswoman Stefanik I was honored, along with some of the top police labor leaders in the state including PCNY’s Rich Wells and NYSPIA’s Tim Dymond, to have participated in a Zoom call with Congresswoman and Chair of the House Republican Conference Elise Stefanik regarding the downright scary anti-police legislation being proposed on a state and national level. I personally voiced my concern about the continued threats to qualified immunity and the use of force. I also brought up the abovementioned Senator Booker end-around, to which Congresswoman Stefanik assured all of us that Senator Scott will NOT cave in on qualified immunity for individual police officers. End of story. I can unequivocally state that Congresswoman Stefanik has the best interests of the law enforcement community at heart. Quote of the Week – II Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis voiced her concern Thursday on Newsmax over New York's recent surge in crime. “It's not just a matter of liberal judges being appointed that are contributing to the crime surge, it is just radical changes that have taken place throughout the state of New York. The bail laws that Gov. Cuomo and the state Legislature put in place. I mean, they were releasing everyone from people who committed homicide to felony drug dealers to those who committed manslaughter." At least we tried to recognize one of our own A contest run by the Thruway Authority has led to the naming of three falcons living atop the bridge formerly known as the Tappan Zee. They will thus be called Luke Flywalker, Talon Zee, and Jimmy Falcon. It is unknown where on the list our submission landed – Blue Falcon. This email is an automated notification, which is unable to receive replies. To send a comment to the NYSTPBA, please contact us at nystpba@nystpba.org

The Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers 120 State St. Albany, New York 12207 (518) 462-7448 http://www.nystpba.org