What's happening
This bill allows New York City police officers to attend two tuition-free job-related courses at CUNY and SUNY schools.
Why it matters
Expands access to higher education for police officers. , potentially supporting their professional development and encouraging further academic achievement within the NYPD by allowing them to take two job-related courses tuition-free.
Could improve policing outcomes. by enabling officers to gain specialized knowledge or skills (e.g., in criminal justice, community relations, or public administration) directly relevant to their work, leading to more informed and effective law enforcement.
Creates a limited benefit that does not reduce opportunities for other students. , as the waiver is only available when it does not displace otherwise qualified students from enrolling in needed courses.
May help recruit and retain officers in New York City. , as enhanced educational opportunities can be an attractive employment incentive and support career advancement within the police department.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free College Courses for Police
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
- Ordered to third reading cal.1847
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Free College Courses for Cops
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Joseph Lentol
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
885
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 5, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
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
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 7 of section 6206 of the education law, as added by chapter 548 of the laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special or local law, rule or regulation, the board of trustees shall promulgate regulations to permit members of the New York city police department employed in the rank of police officer, who are enrolled in programs leading to baccalaureate or higher degrees at a senior college of the city university to attend [one course] two courses without tuition, provided that such [course is] courses are related to their employment as police officers and that such tuition-waived attendance does not deny course attendance at a senior college of the city university by an individual who is otherwise qualified under this section.
§ 2. Section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 20 to read as follows:
20. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special or local law, rule or regulation, the state university trustees shall promulgate regulations to permit members of the New York city police department employed in the rank of police officer, who are enrolled in programs leading to baccalaureate or higher degrees at a state-operated institution in a state university, to attend two courses without tuition, provided that such courses are related to their employment as police officers and that such tuition-waived attendance does not deny
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03929-01-7
S. 885 2
course attendance at a state-operated institution by an individual who is otherwise qualified.
§ 3. This act 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.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
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.
Read the full memo (646 words)
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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.