A01264 Summary:
BILL NO | A01264 |
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SAME AS | No Same As |
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SPONSOR | Ramos |
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COSPNSR | Cunningham, Gibbs, Reyes, Walker |
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MLTSPNSR | |
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Amd §204-a, Civ Serv L | |
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Allows the implementation of body cameras on police officers notwithstanding binding arbitration. |
A01264 Memo:
Go to topNEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)   BILL NUMBER: A1264 Revised 2/11/2025 SPONSOR: Ramos
  TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to allowing the implementation of body cameras on police officers notwithstanding bind- ing arbitration     PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: This bill would amend the civil service law in relation to allowing the implementation of body cameras on police officers without it being an issue of binding arbitration.   SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Section 204-a of the civil service law is amended by adding a new subdi- vision which state that the terms of any agreement or arbitration between any public employer and public employee organization represent- ing police officers approving any increase in pay or expanded duty pay due for additional or continued duties and responsibilities performed by police officers with regards to wearing body cameras shall not include binding arbitration for purposes of authorizing a pay increase or expanded duty pay.   JUSTIFICATION: Equipping police officers with body cameras is a tool that creates greater transparency; adds another layer of officer accountability; improves communication between police and the public; provides an accu- rate documentation of events and lowers the reports of misconduct. Due to the many benefits that come along with the use body cameras on police officers, many governments are seeking to equip their police departments with this technology. However, organizations representing police offi- cers often seek to garner pay increases for their officers, citing addi- tional duties or responsibilities that lead the matter to be taken up in binding arbitration. Technology is ever changing and developing. It continues to reshape nearly every sector of society. Most jobs see changing technology frequently - from teachers to retail workers and taxi drivers. Never was there a greater example of this than during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many jobs had to find new ways to continue operating and it was technology that enabled this. Many employees and employees that had to pivot and come to use technologs, in a way they hadn't before. These improvements and upgrades in technology are learned by workers without monetary compensation. Often new technology streamlines the job and makes it easier. The use of laptops in patrol cars are a good case in point. A routine traffic stop by a police officer prior to laptops could have taken 15-20 minutes. Now it takes about 2 minutes. Before laptops were common in patrol cars, an officer would have to radio in the driver's information, wait for a call back from headquarters, look through a manual to find the code number and fill out the citation by hand. Today, the new technology allows for an officer to scan documents into a laptop computer, where within seconds they know if a car is stolen, if there are outstanding warrants or prior convictions for the same violation. They proceed to choose the appropriate offense from a pop-up menu and a printer prints out a clear ticket. Body cameras are another tool in a collection of new technology that is available to police officers and should not be justification for binding arbitration, which can could be cost prohibitive to its imple- mentation, but rather reason to welcome advances in technology that allows them to keep current in their job and fulfill their duties to ensure public safety and save lives.   LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: A.4823 of 2023-24 A.6072A of 2021-22   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None   EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately.