Albany — Tuesday featured Veterans Day parades and ceremonies around the Capital Region, and the nation for that matter, but also a push to help military members embarking on a second career post-service.
In this case, the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association calling on the Governor and State Legislature to allow military veterans who are members of the State Police to purchase an additional year of pension credit, up to four years in total.
The NYSTPBA believes this would not just support veterans looking for life after service, but also help retain, and attract, new recruits.
“These individuals have already chosen service as something that they are willing to do when they see honor and they see it in themselves,” NYSTPBA President Charles W. Murphy says. “They’re ones typically that want to provide services to offer protection or whatever it may be, it seems natural that an individual would see law enforcement, where you’re entering aid, you’re providing help to people in need as a very nice segue in the second career. And we think those individuals usually perform well here.”
Murphy says right now they’re getting more retirements than recruits, so they’re investing more in those recruitment and retaining aspects.
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NYS Senator Jake Ashby (R-Castleton), is a veteran himself, sending CBS6 this statement on the proposal:
“So many veterans have the skills, discipline and leadership capabilities to make excellent law enforcement officials. This is a tangible recruitment incentive. It shows veterans that our state is grateful for their service and invested in their future. It’s an appropriate way to thank the men and women on the job who have worn both uniforms. This is a common-sense bill that’s earned bipartisan support in the Legislature and, today of all days, deserves the Governor’s signature.”
They’re hoping the proposal will be included in next State Budget. You can read the bill text here.
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