Police Benevolent Association of New York State Endorses Governor Kathy Hochul

NEW YORK – The Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBANYS) today announced its endorsement of Governor Kathy Hochul for a full term, becoming the first statewide law enforcement entity to endorse in the race. PBANYS represents approximately 1,200 members of law enforcement in the New York State Agency Police Services Unit including SUNY Police, the New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the New York State Park Police, and the New York State Forest Rangers.

PBANYS praised Governor Hochul’s commitment to building a safer state for all New Yorkers.

“As governor, my top priority is making sure that New Yorkers in every community not only feel safe but are safe,” said Governor Hochul. “By working hand in hand with law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, we have made progress toward making our streets safer and our criminal justice system fairer. I’m honored to earn the endorsement of the Police Benevolent Association of New York State and look forward to building on our efforts to strengthen public safety, reduce crime, and keep dangerous firearms out of the wrong hands.”

“Governor Hochul has shown tremendous leadership in supporting our members and promoting initiatives that improve our ability to protect the people of New York State,” said PBANYS President James McCartney. “The Governor has helped address staffing shortages by authorizing new police officer academies, addressed pay inequity by increasing salaries for downstate officers to offset higher costs of living, and promoted the advancement of women in law enforcement with her pledge to increase the number of women in law enforcement to thirty percent.”

McCartney added, “We are extremely proud that under Governor Hochul, for the first time ever, the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Law Enforcement is headed by a career female law enforcement officer. She joins the State University Police Commissioner who rose through the ranks to become the first female Police Commissioner at the State University – providing inspiration to groups traditionally underrepresented in the profession.”