Following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university campus last week, the Police Benevolent Association of New York State urged elected leaders to pass a law enforcement centralization policy for the State University of New York system.
The organization says it would allow University Police departments across the state to more effectively share information in real-time on coordinated threats of violence, “swatting” incidents, social media dares, sexual assault and harassment, suspect descriptions and other law enforcement matters.
The PBA says standardizing practices at the 29 campuses with SUNY police would centralize statewide leadership and hiring, computer-aided dispatch, digital evidence management, background checks, crime trend analysis and more.
“Incidents like the one in Utah force us to take a hard look at our own policies and procedures, to ensure we are ready for a streamlined mass response if something similar were to happen on a SUNY campus,” PBA President James McCartney said in a statement. “Equally critical is prevention: sharing resources, intelligence and training to collectively strengthen the defense of our most vulnerable campus communities.”
Democrats state Sen. Toby Ann Stravisky and Assemblymember Karen McMahon introduced legislation earlier this year in their respective chambers, with neither moving out of committee.
“We urge Senators, Assembly members and Governor Kathy Hochul to meaningfully consider and pass this bill in the upcoming legislative year,” the PBA said in a statement Thursday.
The union represents SUNY police, state park police, environmental police and forest rangers.