When a police officer is killed or injured, the shock spreads far beyond the walls of the station. 2021 shooting that left two NYPD officers wounded while they were responding to a domestic violence incident involving City University of New York (CUNY) The peace officer was one of those moments.
This tragedy not only highlighted the dangers of domestic violence, but also raised alarm about long-standing systemic failures in the oversight of the issuance of government firearms to public safety officers at CUNY, which prevailed until this incident five years ago but have since, fortunately, seen much-needed reforms. Reforms that extend beyond CUNY campuses to all New York State agencies and governments.
The facts of the CUNY example are clear. A CUNY peace officer who carried a state-issued firearm while on duty used his sidearm to shoot two NYPD officers who were responding to a domestic disturbance at his Queens home and was ultimately shot and killed himself. These NYPD officers, whose bravery prevented an even greater tragedy, were doing exactly what the public expects: protecting a victim of domestic violence. However, they were met with artillery fire.
Our investigation found that the CUNY officer's behavior prior to the shooting raised many red flags: he had a documented history of domestic incidents, had previously brought a state-issued firearm home with him after work, and, following a previous NYPD intervention at his home, had had his personal CUNY-issued firearm taken away from him for a period of time, contrary to regulations. CUNY had a disjointed policy regarding its armed employees that lacked both consistency and enforcement.
And while CUNY is a prime example (they were not alone), there was no model policy or consistent standards for New York State employees carrying firearms while performing their official state duties.
While New York State Police and other police departments operated under clearly defined internal firearms policies, which was not the case with many other departments. The result was an uneven system in which some officers with peace officer status were rightfully subject to strict scrutiny while others operated in relative opacity.
State-issued weapons are an expression of public trust in the truest sense of the word. They provide the authority to use deadly force for public safety. With these powers must come the highest standards of accountability. However, the rules governing who could carry, possess, or access these weapons varied widely from one agency to another.
Thanks to state leadership, that has changed.
All executive branch agencies are now required to publish and maintain comprehensive written policies governing all aspects of firearm use, possession and training. These policies, which must meet or exceed the standards set by State Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Office of Public Safetymust also be submitted annually to the DCJS.
It is also consistent with the important work the government has done in recent years to identify and combat domestic violence. Now, when a government employee is arrested for domestic violence or receives a protective order, he is required to surrender his firearms. The passage last month of a law requiring police to remove guns from the hands of rapists represents another important step forward.
At the same time, agencies have strengthened the connection between employee health and public safety. Law enforcement officers, like police, corrections and other law enforcement officials, face unique stressors that can be detrimental to their mental health. Ensuring that those who carry government-issued firearms have access to confidential counseling, regular medical screenings, and early intervention services is not only compassionate, but also important to public safety.
The authority to bear arms on behalf of the state is not a right – it is a huge responsibility. In turn, the state has a responsibility to ensure that power is used safely, wisely, and never again leads to such destructive consequences.
I'm proud of the work New York has done to turn tragedy into action. We owe it to the officers who risk their lives in service, to the families destroyed by preventable violence, and to every New Yorker who entrusts their safety to those sworn to protect them.
Lang is New York State Inspector General.
