BILL NUMBER:  S885

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the education law, in relation to certain tuition
waivers for police officer students of the city university of New York
and the state university of New York; and providing for the repeal of
certain provisions upon the expiration thereof

 PURPOSE :

To allow police officers employed by the New York City Police
Department to attend two courses without tuition at a senior college
of the City University System and at a State University of New York.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the bill amends paragraph (c) to subdivision 7 of
Education Law section 6206 to require the trustees of the City
University of New York ("CUNY") to promulgate regulations that would
afford police officers employed by the New York City Police Department
("NYPD") who are enrolled in a program leading to a baccalaureate or
higher degree to attend two courses without tuition, provided that
such attendance does not deny course attendance by another person who
is otherwise qualified under section 6206.

              

Section 2 of this bill amends Education Law section 355 by adding a
new subdivision 20 to require the trustees of the State University of
New York ("SUNY") to promulgate regulations that would afford police
officers employed by NYPD who are enrolled in a program leading to a
baccalaureate or higher degree to attend two courses without tuition,
provided that such attendance does not deny course attendance by
another person who is otherwise qualified.

Section 3 of the bill provides that this bill shall take effect
immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed on the same date
and in the same manner as chapter 548 of the laws of 2004, as amended,
is repealed.

 EXISTING LAW :

Currently, police officers employed by NYPD who are enrolled in a
program leading to a baccalaureate or higher degree are afforded the
opportunity to attend one tuition-free course at CUNY.

 JUSTIFICATION :

As our city and state have become more diverse and law enforcement's
responsibilities have continued to expand, police officers today are
required to meet a variety of new challenges, including terrorism,
evolving technology, and the need to adapt to the ever-changing laws
they enforce.

It has long been the view of experts and academics that a more
educated police officer is better equipped to meet the variety of
challenges. For example, in 1987 the Mayors Advisory Committee on
Police Management and Personnel Policy made the recommendation that
individuals with college educations be provided with preferential
points on the written entrance exam. The Committee based its
recommendation on the premise that college education "is a valid
predictor of training potential" and that it "develops the reasoning
ability of individuals, a skill that contributes to good
judgment-perhaps the most essential ingredient for a good police
officer." (p. 32).


More recently, in May 2015 President Obama's Task Force on 21st
Century Policing, recommended, as one of its "pillars" to effective
policing, increased officer education and training ("The skills and
knowledge required to effectively deal with these issues requires a
higher level of education as well as extensive and ongoing training in
specific disciplines.") (p. 51). Specifically, the Task Force
recommended, in relevant part: "The Federal Government, as well as
state and local agencies, should encourage and incentivize higher
education for law enforcement officers. While many believe that a
higher level of required education could raise the quality of officer
performance, law enforcement also benefits from a diverse range of
officers who bring their cultures, languages, and life experiences to
policing." (p. 59).

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2016: S.6908 - Passed the Senate

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None to the State

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This bill shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed on the same date and in the same manner as chapter 548 of the
laws of 2004, as amended, is repealed.