Senate Bill S1500

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S1500

SPONSOR: GIANARIS
 
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:

This bill would amend the civil service law in relation to the implemen-
tation of body cameras on police officers without it being able to made
an issue of binding arbitration.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one amends section 204-a of the civil service law by adding a
new subdivision which states that the terms of any agreement or arbi-
tration between any public employer and public employee organization
representing 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.

Section two sets the effective date.

 
EXISTING LAW:

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JUSTIFICATION:

Due to the many benefits that come along with the use body cameras by
police officers, many governments are seeking to equip their police
departments with the technology. Equipping police officers with body
cameras can protect officers, assist in evidence collection, and
dissuade some of the worst of officer misconduct. However, organizations
representing police officers often seek to garner pay increases for
their officers, citing additional duties or responsibilities and officer
stress that leads 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 retailer workers and taxi drivers.  These
improvements and upgrades in technology are learned by workers without
monetary compensation. 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 be cost prohibitive to
its implementation. This technology should be a welcome advance in tech-
nology that allows officers to keep current in their job and fulfill
their duties, and should not warrant a pay increase for their use alone.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2022: Died in Civil Service and Pensions; Died in Governmental Employees
(Assembly)

2021: Died in Civil Service and Pensions; Died in Governmental Employees
(Assembly)

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

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EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.