NY Senate Passes Bill Making Harassment of Police a Felony

On June 5, the New York Senate passed a bill making it a felony to physically attack or harass a police officer while that officer is on duty.

According to bill sponsor Joe Griffo (R): “At a time when shocking incidents of disrespect and outright confrontation are at an all-time high, the men and women who patrol the streets of our cities deserve every possible protection we can offer them.” 

Griffo’s bill makes it a crime to use “any type of physical action to try to intimidate a police officer.”

The bill establishes harassment of an officer “as a Class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison.” 

Utica Police Department Chief Mark Williams responded to the bill’s passage thus: “Professionally, I am grateful to see this bill pass through the senate. Our police officers have a very dangerous job and need the support of our government leaders to help make them safe.” 

Griffo’s bill is now headed to the General Assembly.