Queens, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato recently met with the NYC PBA (Police Benevolent Association), the union that represents police officers in the NYPD. The Assemblywoman, who is a known friend and supporter of law enforcement, along with being the Chairwoman of the New York State Committee on Governmental Employees, spoke with the new PBA President Patrick Hendry, along with other members of the union’s leadership over her legislation during the 2023 Legislative Session. The Assemblywoman was personally responsible for fixing a longstanding issue where NYPD officers were not eligible to borrow from their pension. Through her legislation which was included in the 2023 State Budget, Pheffer Amato secured parity for the NYPD with several other pensions which was considered a monumental win for City police officers. In addition, Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato worked in tandem with the NYPD on amending the State bail laws to help law enforcement. These changes included removing the existing standard that had required judges to make pretrial decisions based on the “least restrictive means.” The Assemblywoman received praise from the police for working towards this fix, and for also supporting the change in the law that would grant judges more discretion in setting bail, while also expanding the category of crimes that judges could set for bail.

During the meeting, the PBA asked Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato to introduce and be the lead sponsor on several bills for the upcoming 2024 Legislative Session. “I’m very proud to support our City’s finest every day and will always do whatever I can for them. It’s an honor when the police ask you to introduce and sponsor their legislation as every day the police are out there protecting us. Through these bills, we are focusing on retention and recruitment, and making sure the State implements ways to protect our police officers and their families,” said Pheffer Amato.

PBA President Patrick Hendry said: “Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato understands what our overworked police officers are dealing with on the street, and she knows how the NYPD’s staffing crisis is impacting the safety of her constituents and all New Yorkers. We are grateful that she is taking the lead on these common-sense bills to keep our finest cops on the job. She is a true partner in public safety. We look forward to continuing to work with her throughout this legislative session to get these bills done.”