BILL NUMBER: S5566
SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to training requirements
for police officers on the operation of police vehicles
 
PURPOSE:
To ensure the safety of police officers and civilians by requiring the
establishment of policies, procedures, and on-going training for police
officers on the safe driving of police vehicles.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 840 of the executive law to direct the munici-
pal police training council to develop policies, rules, and regulations
with respect to the establishment and implementation of a training
program regarding the operation of police vehicles.
Section 2 amends section 841 of the executive law to direct the commis-
sioner of the division of criminal justice services to implement policy,
procedures, and training developed by the municipal police training
council pursuant to section 1 of this act.
Section 3 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Motor vehicle collisions are the second leading cause of death for
on-duty police officers nationwide, according to the National Law
Enforcement Memorial Fund. In New York, the number of severe crashes
involving police cars that resulted in injury, death, or extensive prop-
erty damage more than doubled from 2012 to 2019, according to a Times
Union analysis. Addressing this concerning trend would help make our
police officers and everyday people safer on the road.
New York's training requirements in driving techniques for police offi-
cers lags behind other states. New York requires a minimum of 21 hours
of emergency vehicle operations training for new police officers, and
there is no requirement for on-going training. In contrast, California
requires 40 hours of training for new officers, and veteran officers
must complete four hours of training every two years.
This legislation brings New York's training requirement in line with
other states, which would help turn around the state's poor record of
crashes that result in injury or death of officers and civilians.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S9720/A9519-A
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5566: 840 executive law, 841 executive law