For Immediate Release

Troopers PBA Congratulates Graduates, Calls for More Manpower

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association congratulates the 158 new Troopers who graduated today from the 207^th Session of the New York State Police Academy.

These graduating members provide badly-needed manpower to our ranks. The PBA would like to acknowledge the efforts of Gov. Andrew Cuomo for funding a class of 250 recruits expected to start training in January.

In addition, with the number of tragic mass shooting incidents rising nationally and internationally, the PBA is calling on the Governor to include in his upcoming Executive Budget – and the Legislature to approve – funding for a second Academy class of 250 to bring the total number of new Troopers in 2019 to 500.

“Given the acts of terrorism, senseless violence and mass shootings that we’re experiencing all too often, the need for additional Troopers is greater than ever before,” said PBA President Thomas H. Mungeer. “Troopers are on the front lines of public safety, and we need additional manpower to keep up with today’s public safety needs. Whether our Troopers are keeping students safe as School Resource Officers, providing assistance to local police officers in high-crime areas, proactively safeguarding potential targets of terrorists, fighting in the war against opiates, or conducting routine patrols, our Troopers continue to serve and protect with the utmost professionalism.”

 More than 7,000 active and retired, uniformed members of the New York State Police from the rank of Trooper through the rank of Major are represented by the PBA.