Updates from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer

NYSTPBA Newsletter Updates from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer Trooper James J. Monda Trooper Monda’s life was celebrated during a fitting ceremony on Monday. I would like to thank all of those members who took the time to attend and honor our fallen co-worker. I know the family greatly appreciates the fact that you took the time to do so. Get Well I would like to offer our best wishes to Trooper Taylor McCarthy, who was injured during a critical incident in Troop E last Friday. She has a long road to recovery ahead of her. Condolences Our thoughts and prayers are with Troop L Maj. George Mohl and T/Sgt. Scott Mohl from Troop F, whose brother, Connecticut State Police Sgt. Brian Mohl, tragically died in the line of duty on September 2, 2021 during the extreme flooding. Information regarding his services will be provided when it becomes available. Vaccinations According to the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, they have yet to receive any direction regarding the vaccination/weekly testing mandate from the new governor’s administration. Since this is the case, the Labor Day starting point is not a viable date. As previously stated, the NYSTPBA has already filed an improper practice charge seeking injunctive relief against the misplaced vaccine or weekly testing mandate. Acting Positions and Seniority I am happy to announce that the NYSTPBA and Division have come to an agreement regarding the application of seniority when a member serves in an acting position, as follows: When a uniformed Member, regardless of rank, is assigned to an acting position and receives acting pay, that member’s date of rank for seniority purposes will commence upon the start date of such payment. This date of rank is only applicable if, and when, that member is subsequently permanently promoted to the same rank with no separation in service or position. Background: Despite serving for an extended amount of time in an acting position, numerous members, despite receiving the corresponding pay increases attributed to those positions, are not afforded the luxury of accumulating seniority within that position, sometimes to their detriment later. I would like to thank Superintendent Kevin Bruen and others in his executive staff for having an open mind when presented with this problem mostly caused by the sluggish rate of authorizations for permanent promotions from the Division of Budget. Reminder - 2021 NTC Picnic The three NJSP unions are joining forces to host the 2021 NTC Picnic in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the New Jersey State Police. Thursday, September 9, 2021 Seaport Pier North Wildwood, NJ Purchase tickets by visiting: https://www.ntcpicnic2021.com/ Labor Day On Monday we will celebrate Labor Day, honoring the working men and women of this great country including each and every one of the fine Troopers who make up the New York State Police. As President of the NYSTPBA I affirm to each of you that we will continue to aggressively protect the rights and the safety of our Troopers statewide. Since 1943, the Troopers PBA has sought to improve the working conditions of the New York State Troopers and we will continue to do so. I appreciate the continued support that you have shown to me and the NYSTPBA Board of Directors. Hot off the Press Last week I reported the following: Governor Hochul announced yesterday that she will appoint Sen. Brian Benjamin to serve as lieutenant governor. The pick was not a big surprise, as she is preparing to run a gubernatorial campaign next year which requires shoring up crucial support in New York City. Although the position of lieutenant governor is mostly ceremonial with few powers, we need not forget that person is a heartbeat away from the governor’s seat, as that is how we ended up with both David Paterson and Hochul herself. As for soon-to-be Lt. Gov. Benjamin, we do not have a long track record working with him as he has been in the state senate less than four years. However, when he was running for NYC Comptroller, he tweeted on Jan. 18: “I support the movement to defund the police because I believe that there are parts of the NYPD budget that are not essential for public safety.” The next nine months should be very telling but I will reiterate we are cautiously optimistic and are willing to give the Hochul administration every opportunity to succeed. When asked about Governor Hochul’s new lieutenant governor’s position on public safety, her press secretary Hazel Crampton-Hays was quick to state, “Governor Hochul does not support defunding the police. In the Hochul administration, public safety and justice and accountability in policing are not mutually exclusive, and we are glad to partner with soon-to-be Lt. Gov. Benjamin on these priorities to keep our communities safe.” Dr. Evil A real-life plot is being written that could be comparable to a yet unwritten storyline in an Austin Powers movie starring former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the role as the archvillain Dr. Evil. It has been reported by Politico and based on interviews of political aides and operatives who formerly worked for Cuomo, that he is reportedly plotting revenge on those who ousted him from his position in power by using his loyal sycophant “Number Two” Richard Azzopardi, and funded by his $18 million campaign war chest, to plant stories about Cuomo’s enemies, asking journalists to question the New York state attorney general’s report about the former governor, and offering quotes questioning Governor Hochul’s competence, all in a desperate attempt to salvage Cuomo’s career. “The fever [with] which they are doing this — to relitigate the past and undermine Hochul — is incredible,” one reporter told Politico. “They don’t seem to see that they are out of power and no one cares.” Dr. Evil: You know, I have one simple request, and that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads! Uh, can you remind me what I pay you people for? Honestly, throw me a bone here! The next thing that we will hear is that Cuomo and company will want to hold us all ransom using a sophisticated heat beam which they call a "laser" for...ONE MILLION DOLLARS! National Association of Police Officers (NAPO) - Police Reform Negotiations Stall Although the U.S. Senate adjourned on Aug. 11, the respective staffs of Senators Tim Scott and Cory Booker continue to draft and share proposals on various issues. However, the latest reporting states that qualified immunity is now completely off the table as Senator Scott maintains his opposition to eliminating it for individual officers and civil rights organizations and several law enforcement management groups are against municipal liability, which has long been seen as a potential compromise. Meanwhile in a Utopian Version of the Twilight Zone Democratic Socialists of America candidate for NYC Council Tiffany Cabán has released a 48-page “restorative justice public safety” plan, titled “A New Vision of Public Safety for New York City,” which strips police officers and the courts of some of their most basic law enforcement roles. She states, “Communities will be empowered to develop individualized strategies to help heal wounds of violence rather than being forced to rely on policing and prisons as the only recourse.” A priceless excerpt from the proposal that details a scenario in which the victim of a violent assault would be largely responsible for deciding the fate of their assailant. Example of Use: A person is beat up, suffers a broken rib, and is robbed of his wallet. First, his needs are heard and affirmed, and he works with trained staff to develop a services and healing plan. Then, when he is ready, he participates in restorative justice circles with the person who harmed him and their respective support systems. He asks questions and gets answers, and they develop an accountability and consequences plan.” Who the hell is in charge over at the DSA? Moe, Larry and Curly? Quote of the Week “Police do not solve most crimes and do nearly nothing to help survivors and victims. If someone is in a situation where they need to call 911 because they are afraid for their life, police are unlikely to be able to help.” - Tiffany Cabán (Remember – the NYC Council is often a stepping stone for seats in the NYS Legislature) Parting Wisdom – Something to Think about for the Weekend "I always feel sorry for people who don’t drink, because when they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re gonna feel all day.” - Jack Lemmon in the movie Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963), although it is often wrongly attributed to both Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra 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