PEF, DOP salute parole officers
Legislation broadens health, safety benefits for parole
Story and Photo by DEBORAH A. MILES
Safety, health and benefit issues for members in the state Division of Parole has union leaders pushing for legislation that would give PEF Division 236 members protections equal to those of other law enforcement officers.
At an appreciation brunch for parole officers hosted by PEF in Saratoga Springs on June 3, which coincided with a luncheon organized by the Division of Parole, PEF Legislative Director Brian Curran explained the benefits the legislation would provide parole officers.
Currently, the New York state public retirement systems generally allow state police, corrections officers and other law-enforcement officers to qualify for full retirement benefits after a fixed period of service. Bill S.835A/A.1555A would create a pension plan that would also allow parole officers to retire after 25 years of service with no penalties.
“Law-enforcement work often involves physically taxing and stressful situations, and parole officers should be granted the same benefits as other law-enforcement officers,” Curran said.
PEF is also pushing for an amendment to the state Finance Law to grant parole officers similar benefits that police officers and sheriff’s deputies receive under General Municipal Law Section 207-c. Those benefits include receiving continued pay and medical expenses for officers who are injured on the job.
Lobbying for equal benefits
“Unfortunately, the present law does not include coverage for parole officers who often work alongside other law-enforcement officers and face the same risks,” Curran said. “They deserve the same protection and this bill (S.5444/A.950) corrects the present inequity.”
Another bill (S.238/A.8111) that deals with safety would set minimum standards for safety equipment used by police and other peace officers. If passed, the bill would require safety equipment such as bulletproof vests and communications equipment comply with standards established by the National Institute of Justice.
And legislation known as the “Heart Bill” (S.2268/A.4970) would allow parole officers who become disabled due to a heart condition while still in active service to receive an improved disability pension benefit.
Curran encouraged members to call their elected representatives at 1-877-255-9417 and urge them to pass the above legislation.
Working with parole
Also at the brunch, PEF Vice President Joe Fox announced the creation of a PEF agency organizer position who’s first assignment will be to work with Parole Division 236 members to address state management’s indifference to the issues of PEF members at parole.
“The concerns of our members at the Division of Parole are a priority for us,” Fox said. “The person in this position will be able to clearly communicate to us the members’ issues, so we can take the necessary steps to resolve them.”
Fox also displayed a poster-size ad created by PEF that ran in The Legislative Gazette and The Chief Leader.
This powerful ad promotes the passage of the legislation to allow parole officers the same pension benefits as other law- enforcement officers. It is on the back cover of this issue.
The
Communicator July/August 04
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PEF, DOP salute parole officers
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