Cooney, NYS Troopers PBA Urge Governor to Sign Mental Health Leave Bill for State Police

State Senator Jeremy Cooney and leaders of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association (NYSTPBA) on Monday urged Governor Kathy Hochul to swiftly sign legislation creating a critical incident leave policy for State Police officers, describing it as a national model for law enforcement mental health support.

Speaking at Pulaski Park, just blocks from the site of a 2021 police shooting incident, Cooney and union representatives stressed the toll that traumatic encounters take on officers and the need to address a growing recruitment and retention crisis within the ranks of the State Police.

“Our New York State Troopers are putting their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” Cooney said. “We owe it to these officers to make sure they’re taken care of and given the space they need to recover from these critical incidents. I encourage Governor Hochul to sign my bill into law.”

The bill (S2681/A6452), co-sponsored by Cooney and Assemblymember Patrick Burke, passed both chambers of the Legislature in June with overwhelming bipartisan support. If signed, it would establish the first statewide policy in the country mandating paid leave for State Police officers involved in use-of-force incidents that result in serious injury or death.

Under the proposed law, directly involved Troopers would be eligible for up to 20 days of paid leave, while those indirectly affected could receive up to 15 days. Currently, officers are allowed just three days off following a critical incident.

The legislation aims to address mental health challenges and reduce burnout among officers, factors that officials say are contributing to an alarming rate of early retirements. Since 2006, annual State Trooper retirements have increased more than fivefold, from 49 to 304 in 2024.

Charles W. Murphy, president of the NYSTPBA, said the bill would help end the stigma that prevents officers from taking time to recover.

“We must ensure they have access to services that will aid in their recovery, without fear they will face retaliation or be stigmatized for looking after their own mental health,” Murphy said.

The National Institutes of Health reports that up to 19% of law enforcement officers experience PTSD, more than double the rate in the general population. A 2023 FBI analysis found that officers encounter an average of 178 traumatic incidents over their careers.

Trooper Martin McClellan, NYSTPBA treasurer and a responder to the 2021 Fairbanks Street incident, described the scene as “chaotic, serious, and dangerous.”

“We accept the risks of this job, but these incidents take a serious toll,” McClellan said. “The next critical incident could happen at any time. Troopers are committed to protecting all New Yorkers. Now it's time for New Yorkers to return the favor.”

Currently, only Texas and Kentucky have statewide policies addressing critical incident leave for law enforcement, and both lack the comprehensive safeguards included in New York’s proposed bill.

Cooney said the policy could serve as a national blueprint for supporting law enforcement agencies grappling with trauma, staffing shortages, and public safety demands.

The bill now awaits action from Gov. Hochul.