Relates to promotions of captains

BILL NUMBER:S5610

Title of bill

An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to promotions of captains

Purpose

To provide NYPD captains with fifteen years of service to have the pension benefits of Deputy Chiefs, and to provide NYPD captains with service between ten and fifteen years with the pension benefits of Inspectors.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of this bill amends New York City Administrative Code section 14-114(c) to provide that when a captain has served in the rank of captain for a fifteen year period, he or she shall have the same rights in respect to the police pension fund as a captain detailed to act as deputy chief who has served as such for an aggregate period of two years. This section further provides that a captain who has served as such less than fifteen years but more than ten years will have the same rights in respect to the police pension fund as a captain detailed to act as inspector who has served as such for an aggregate time period of two years.

Section 2 of this bill provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

After many years of failing to take control of violence and serious crime in New York City, the New York City Police Department in the mid 1990s completely revolutionized policing in New York City. By developing a process known as "Compstat," precinct and other operational unit commanders developed a system to communicate with the agency's top executives and other commanders, sharing the problems they face and successful crime reduction tactics. The process allows top executives to monitor issues and activities within precincts and operational units, evaluating the skills and effectiveness of middle managers. By keeping abreast of situations "on the ground," departmental leaders developed a skill set to allocate resources to most effectively reduce crime and improve police performance.

As a result of these strategies, violent and serious crime has declined more than 80% since 199 New York City is now the safest large city in the United States of America. This remarkable crime reduction continues through 2015, even given the overwhelming counter-terrorism responsibilities implemented since September 2001.

This Bill gives commanders with fifteen (15) years of service in the rank of Captain or above an incentive to stay with the New York City Police Department by allowing them to retire at a Deputy Chief pension and prevents the loss of valuable experience and knowledge of proven and effective police tactics to retirement. The Bill expands upon the existing benefit that grants Captains with five (5) years of service in the rank of Captain or above a Deputy Inspector pension and Captains with ten (10) years of service in the rank of Captain or above an Inspector pension.

Further, the Bill offers an incentive for the most qualified Police Lieutenants to seek promotion to the rank of Captain. Over the last ten (10) years fewer and fewer Lieutenants have sought promotion to the rank of Captain. For example, in 1997, 65,6% of total eligible (898 of pool of 1,369) Lieutenants filed for the Promotional Exam for Captain. In contrast, in 2012 only 18.5% of total eligible (325 of pool of 1,753) Lieutenants filed for the Promotional Exam for Captain. This reduced interest in advancement within the NYPD further highlights the need to incentivize our most experienced NYPD commanders to stay in the service of New York City.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.