For Immediate Release: August 19, 2020

Troopers Union Files Lawsuit against City of New York

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association (NYSTPBA) filed a lawsuit today in New York County Court in Manhattan against the city of New York in reference to New York City Code Section 10-181, more commonly known as the anti-compression law.

In the lawsuit, the NYSTPBA makes the argument that the New York State Executive Law, which grants Troopers statewide arrest authority, supersedes the city code. The NYSTPBA is seeking a declaratory judgment affirming this.

“It is inconceivable to us that a Trooper can initiate a traffic stop on the border of New York City, and if a violent confrontation arises, the arrest technique will vary depending on whether it ensues at the front bumper or the back bumper of the patrol car,” said NYSTPBA President Thomas H. Mungeer. “This ill-conceived, knee-jerk reaction by lawmakers has left our members vulnerable to criminal and civil liabilities for doing the job they were trained to do. As the union representing more than 7,000 active and retired State Troopers, we had no choice other than to take this action to protect our members.”