Pheffer Amato Makes Waves to Help Law Enforcement Staffing Problem

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato was recently praised by law enforcement as her bills, A.5376 and A.3968, were included in the New York State Assembly One House Budget to address the police shortage within the NYPD. The Assembly One House Budget is a response to the Governor’s proposed budget, and this year, Pheffer Amato achieved an unprecedented success by having pro-law enforcement legislation included in the proposal. The poposed bills aim to address the ongoing staffing issue impacting NYC due to the lack of police officers within the NYPD.

A.5376, a retention bill, would provide a financial enhancement to detectives, sergeants and lieutenants who work beyond 25 years. This bill expands on the Assemblywoman’s success during the 2024 Legislative Season for police officers who received this financial enhancement. Pheffer Amato’s work was deemed one of the biggest legislative successes for the City’s Finest in recent history. This move is cited as “part 2” of Pheffer Amato’s plan to help the NYPD and is fully supported by the Detective Endowment Association (DEA), Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), and the Lieutenants Benevolent Association (LBA) – the three unions that represent Detectives, Sergeants and Lieutenants in the NYPD.

In addition, A.3968 would restore the 20-year retirement for all members of the NYPD. As it stands now, any member of the NYPD who was hired after July 2009 must work 22 years, while those hired before that date need to work 20 years to achieve the option for retirement. Pheffer Amato referred to this as “part 3” in her ongoing plan to help the NYPD. The NYC PBA (Police Benevolent Association) had partnered with the Assemblywoman to push this parity policy among officers.

Recent data indicates that NYC does not currently have enough police officers with the NYPD being short nearly 7,000 police officers from its peak headcount. “The staffing crisis within the NYPD is real. Last year we passed my legislation and implemented ‘phase 1’ which ensured a salary enhancement for our longest serving police officers. This year I am fighting to make sure our detectives, sergeants, and lieutenants get that enhancement too. It is also time to codify a 20-year retirement plan for all members of the NYPD and bring parity among our officers,” Pheffer Amato said. “Public safety is the number one priority. Our communities deserve to be safe, and our police and their families deserve the best pension plan. By enacting my legislation, and through the support of my majority colleagues, we are going to balance the City’s needs.  We will address the retention problem, while ensuring our City is able to recruit the best of the best so we get the public safety we deserve. We will get this done.”

NYC PBA President Patrick Hendry said, “From longer 911 response times to fewer cops on the street, the effects of the historic NYPD staffing crisis are being felt in every New York City neighborhood. We are truly grateful to Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato for leading the charge from day one on this common-sense incentive to help us recruit and retain the Finest. She is a true fighter for police officers and public safety, and we look forward to continuing to fight alongside her until this legislation is adopted in the final budget.”

“At the end of this year, there could be 1,676 less Detectives in the NYPD — and they’re being forced to retire due to current pension system rules,” said DEA President Scott Munro. “Many want to stay and keep their skill and experience at the service of New Yorkers – and thanks to the work of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato, that has a chance to happen. The pension system must be fixed to benefit these dedicated men and women. They deserve nothing less.”

Those interested in voicing their support for Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s legislation (A.5376 and A.3968) and would like to see these bills in the final budget, are encouraged to call their State Assemblymember or State Senator.