Q&A
Staffing issues with DEP police and pension concerns
1:57:05
·
93 sec
Commissioner Aggarwala addresses staffing issues within the DEP police force, particularly focusing on recent graduation numbers and pension concerns. Council Member Gennaro raises questions about potential legislative solutions and the dynamics with upstate communities.
- Recent DEP police graduation had one of the smallest classes ever, with only 4 new officers
- Pension issues for DEP police are a state legislative matter
- Discussion of the potential need for a home rule message from the City Council for pension-related legislation
- Acknowledgment of the high-quality training DEP police receive, making them attractive hires for other departments
- Consideration of the complex dynamics between NYC's needs and upstate community interests regarding DEP police staffing
Rohit T Aggarwala
1:57:05
Yeah.
1:57:06
We routinely we do have very high quality training, really proud of them.
1:57:10
We just did a graduation of what was unfortunately one of our smallest classes ever.
1:57:15
Just last Friday.
1:57:16
I was up at Kingston to
William Scarborough
1:57:17
Right.
Rohit T Aggarwala
1:57:17
To do the graduation.
1:57:19
Only 4 new officers from a class.
1:57:22
We need a lot more in the next class, next next summer.
1:57:28
As you say, the the pension is a state legislative issue.
1:57:33
At some point, we're the state legislature to to consider that.
1:57:39
There would be a need to do that.
1:57:40
There would be a need to do that.
1:57:43
Sorry?
James F. Gennaro
1:57:43
Is there anybody, you know, interested in doing that?
Rohit T Aggarwala
1:57:46
Well, look, as I said,
James F. Gennaro
1:57:48
or or is it the case that upstate communities like to hire the best training cops without having them going through the expensive training and themselves?
Rohit T Aggarwala
1:57:57
Well, I I I would certainly believe that they they do appreciate that.
1:58:00
I don't know that I don't know that they that I've seen any evidence that anybody is actively trying to get in the way of our our police getting getting a a fair pension.
1:58:12
But as I was gonna say at at some point where that legislation to move forward, which, as I said, is thus far being pushed by the by the union, it would require a home rule message from the council.
1:58:27
So the council would have a rule.
James F. Gennaro
1:58:29
Okay.
1:58:30
You should put Sham's on that.
1:58:31
Oh, go.
Rohit T Aggarwala
1:58:33
So I'll I'll take that under advisement.
1:58:35
Thank you.
James F. Gennaro
1:58:36
Sham's not here, is he?
1:58:37
Yeah.
Rohit T Aggarwala
1:58:37
He is.
