Updates from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer, August 5, 2022

NYSTPBA Newsletter Updates from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer New Division Tattoo Policy As referenced a few weeks ago in my newsletter, Division has issued a new tattoo policy via Special Order #22-03: Regulation Change to Section 8B1 Under Regulations Affecting Appearance, Uniforms, and Equipment. It is effective Oct. 1, 2022. NAPO On Aug. 1, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 6943, the Public Safety Officer Support Act, unanimously. As the House passed this bill by a vote of 402-17 on May 18, it is now on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law. This was a priority piece of legislation pushed by the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), of which we are a member and of which I am an area vice president. Once enacted, the Public Safety Officer Support Act will make post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) a line-of-duty injury under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program and ensure that officers who suffer from PTSD and those who take or attempt to take their own life because of on-duty trauma will be eligible under the program. The bill would also cover officers who die by trauma-linked suicide by directing the PSOB Program to presume that suicides are a result of job duties in certain circumstances, such as a mass casualty event, where there is evidence that PTSD would be caused by the trauma. This bill will alleviate the financial strains that surviving families of such tragedies often suffer due to the loss of all other benefits. Another One of those Siena Polls According to a new Siena College poll of likely New York state voters released this week, Gov. Kathy Hochul currently holds a 14-point lead over Congressman Lee Zeldin, 53-39%. According to Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg, both are holding their parties, but the disparity is a reflection of the large enrollment advantage that they have over Republicans in this state. The Governor leads among Democrats 81-12% and Zeldin leads among Republicans 84-12%. Independents favor Zeldin slightly, 44-42%. Of the other major elections this November, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer leads Joe Pinion, 56-35%, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli leads Paul Rodriguez, 51-30% and Attorney General Letitia James leads Michael Henry, 50-36%. While none of that surprises me – and mind you, three months until Election Day is an eternity in politics – the results of the Governor’s concealed carry legislation certainly has taken me aback where it is reported that there is overwhelming support. Voters support a new law expanding eligibility requirements for obtaining a permit to carry a concealed weapon – including background checks with character references and safety training – 82-15%. “Support for the new law expanding eligibility requirements to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon – background checks with character references and firearms safety training courses – is through the roof with all demographic groups. In fact, the ‘lowest’ support is with conservatives, who favor the new law 71-27%,” Greenberg said. “There is also strong support for prohibiting concealed weapons in sensitive locations, 60-34%, and requiring private businesses to have a sign if they allow concealed weapons on their premises, 63-32%.” Some Good News for a Change NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that the State Pension Fund (Fund) investment return was 9.5% for the state fiscal year that ended March 31, 2022, far exceeding the Fund’s long-term rate of return of 5.9%. The return on investments increased the Fund’s value to $272.1 billion. I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! The Initial Comment “Our criminal justice system is insane. It is dangerous. It’s harmful. And it’s destroying the fabric of our city. As a result of this insane, broken system, our recidivism rates have skyrocketed…This is not attacking some of the needed reforms that we had. This is about a small number of people that are taking advantage of the existing laws to endanger our city. These repeat offenders are dangerous to our city. They’re dangerous to our recovery, and they’re dangerous to the children and families of this city.” - Mayor Eric Adams earlier this week as he criticized the state’s bail laws and pointed to data that he said shows a spike in repeat offenses among accused criminals in the city. The Responses "Everything the Mayor cited is something that we have addressed, especially his concerns regarding repeat offenders and gun offenses." - Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins “To date, we've received no data from the mayor or his team.” - Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie “What we gave judges was the ability to consider severity of the offense, is this a repeat offense, is there a history involved here? We have now spelled out for judges, factors to consider whether this person should be back on the street or not.” - Gov. Kathy Hochul Stat of the Week According to the NYPD, since the so-called bail reform initiatives took effect, 10 people have collectively been arrested 485 times. Yes, it appears everything is working smoothly. Talk about the proverbial ostrich burying its head in the sand. Wait For It… In case you missed it, a complaint was filed with the Attorney Grievance Committee at the state court Appellate Division’s Fourth Department - which handles attorney discipline in Monroe County - seeking to suspend Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley from practicing law, alleging “blatant ethical violations" for involvement in Zeldin’s campaign for governor. Why is this relevant? Well, as it was outlined in this article, “when a complaint is filed against an attorney, the grievance committee reviews the complaint and launches an investigation if they determine one is warranted. But those proceedings are conducted in secret and nothing is made public unless the courts decide to censure, suspend or disbar the lawyer.” More hypocrisy in light of everyone wanting to publish our disciplinary records – founded and unfounded – on the internet. Another One Bites the Dust Give credit where credit is due. President Joe Biden announced Monday that al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri, a 9/11 mastermind, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul. The President stated, “He will never again, never again, allow Afghanistan to become a terrorist safe haven because he is gone and we’re going to make sure that nothing else happens. This terrorist leader is no more.” Merica! F@ck Yeah! Another Belated Birthday Thank you to retired Sr./Inv. Don Munch who pointed out the following, “It was great to remember Ray Salvie on his 97th birthday, but I would like to remind you that the current oldest living trooper is Major Harry B. Nelson who turned 103 on July 27, and is still enjoying retirement in Fort Myers, Florida. I hope you will send a shout out to Major Nelson in your next weekly newsletter.” Happy Birthday to the senior member of Division – past or present – and probably the oldest retired State Trooper in the country. Trade Deadline Although the Major League Baseball deadline has come and gone, it appears as though the United States is working on a deal that will send recently convicted WNBA player Brittney Griner back home in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is known as the “Merchant of Death” and is currently serving a 25-year sentence in U.S. prison after being convicted in 2011 of conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiracy to deliver anti-aircraft missiles, and aiding a terrorist organization. Reuniting Owners with Lost Money I saw the following information and I figured that it would be a good newsletter piece - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli oversees more than 46 million accounts in Unclaimed Funds valued at $17.5 billion that are waiting to be claimed by their rightful owners. Most unclaimed funds come from old bank accounts. After an account has been inactive for three years, banks are required to try to contact the account holder. If they are unsuccessful, the bank turns the money over to the State. Searching for accounts is easy and free and can be done online or over the phone. Check to see if there are any claims in your name. You can also check for the names of friends and relatives, places of worship or any groups, businesses or organizations with which you are affiliated. Call 1-800-221-9311 (M-F) or visit https://www.osc.state.ny.us/unclaimed-funds to learn if you have money to claim. 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