We, as New York State probation officers and supporters of probation officers, support amending General Municipal Law §207-c, which provides payment of salary and medical care for an individual who is injured or becomes ill as the result of the performance of their job duties. This law covers police officers, sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers – but NOT most probation officers, who also are peace officers. Currently, Nassau County has the only probation department in the state that is protected under this law. We support the inclusion of all counties’ probation departments under General Municipal Law §207-c (NYS Assembly Bill A2535 / Senate Bill S8837).

Probation officers encounter the same types of offenders and dangers as patrol officers on a daily basis. Probation officers work with those who have been convicted of gun and assault charges and those who have gang affiliations. They also are exposed to the risks associated with the influx of fentanyl into our communities. Also, probation officers’ duties mirror other aspects of police officers’ duties. Probation officers are issued firearms, protective vests and radios; must enter substandard dwellings in dangerous neighborhoods; work with increasingly violent offenders; effect arrests; and encounter anti-police sentiments within the community. Therefore, they deserve the same financial protections as other law enforcement officials – protections provided by General Municipal Law §207-c.

Currently, probation officers’ financial avenues once injured/stricken by illness on the job include collecting worker’s compensation, which severely limits income and negatively affects retirement, and/or exhausting accruals earned through our service (vacation, sick time, personal time, etc.). Many new hires have very few accrual hours to use if they are injured while on duty. Without General Municipal Law §207-c protections, probation officers are left in financial peril just because they are doing their jobs. Please support closing this gap in financial safety for the countless probation officers who work to keep our communities safe – and to protect their families from financial devastation.