South Queens, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato acknowledged and honored the contribution to public safety from NYC Auxiliary Police Officers and the nearly 60 years of service from the Auxiliary Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (APBA), as she awarded the union an official State Proclamation. The Assemblywoman thanked all the auxiliary police officers (APO) who “perform their duties as volunteers, placing them among the most distinguished and valuable individuals in service to the people.” The Assemblywoman also praised the union for fearlessly defending auxiliary police officers who are often local residents who go through specific training to directly assist the NYPD and help protect their communities.

“Auxiliary police officers are some of the most civic-minded New Yorkers who take on heroic responsibilities in support of the well-being of their communities. They assist the amazing NYPD in so many ways. This is a special way to say thank you to all of New York City’s Auxiliary Police Officers, while also celebrating the union that has defended and represented them fearlessly,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato.

Pheffer Amato also announced the allocation of $250,000 in capital funding to the auxiliary police units of the NYPD’s 106th Precinct, 100th Precinct and 101st Precinct. “In a time when there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day, APO’s throughout our City find a way to commit more than a million hours of volunteer time to this incredible work. They want to help protect our community which is truly honorable. By allocating this funding to each precinct's Auxiliary unit, I’m making sure they have the resources they need to help the NYPD and get the job done right,” said the Assemblywoman.

In accepting the illuminated State Proclamation on behalf of APBA President John W. Hyland, the union's long time Director of Government Affairs, Lewis Sterler, thanked Pheffer Amato and stated ''Chairwoman Pheffer Amato has been a true champion of safer streets, working for fair and effective law enforcement statewide. It's particularly fitting that this Proclamation is made by the Chair of the Governmental Employees Committee, as she is a valuable ally to this union on wider issues and has delivered for the auxiliary police officers who serve right here in Queens - securing funding for equipment to help the APOs in all precincts serving her Assembly District to perform their duties more effectively. It's no surprise that Chairwoman Pheffer Amato, and a substantial majority of her Committee, support State legislation to make auxiliary police officers safer on patrol.”