Legislation to be introduced next session by four state lawmakers would require all police cars across New York be retrofitted with bulletproof glass. The move comes after two New York City officers were gunned down assassination-style in their patrol car over the weekend.
The lawmakers want to use part of the $5 billion state surplus to be used to pay for the retrofit. Republican Sen. Patrick Gallivan, the former Erie County Sheriff and a former State Trooper, says he has not seen the proposal yet, but he supports the idea.
"If this something that we are going to pursue, I think helping to ensure public safety and the safety of police officers would be a wise investment and an appropriate use of the surplus," Gallivan told WBFO.
Under the proposal, the bulletproof glass would be installed over a phased-in period, starting with the New York Police Department.
"When we charge police officers to protect our families, to protect our communities, we have to be willing to support them, not just emotionally, but support them financially as taxpayers," added Gallivan.
The proposal, he says, also raises several questions.
"If we put bulletproof glass in all police cars everywhere, does it change police procedures when they respond to a scene? Do they get out of the car? Do they wait for back up to get out of the car?," he questioned.
Gallivan says having been in law enforcement most of his adult life, he looks forward to the conversation in Albany about the proposal.