Bill > S04522

This bill prohibits state police officers, police officers, and peace officers from intentionally covering their badges while on duty, ensuring that their identification remains visible to the public. The legislation requires the Division of State Police and the Division of Criminal Justice Services to impose a $500 fine for each violation of this rule. To facilitate reporting of badge-covering incidents, the bill mandates that both the state police superintendent and the commissioner create a dedicated telephone number that will be publicly available on their respective websites, allowing citizens to report instances where an officer is intentionally obscuring their badge. The goal of this bill appears to be increasing transparency and accountability in law enforcement by ensuring that officers can be readily identified during official interactions. The new provisions apply to state police members, police officers, and peace officers when they are acting in their official capacities, and the law is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4522