Hawley criticizes Hochul for banning striking COs from other state jobs

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) spoke out today against Gov. Hochul’s executive order banning correctional officers who participated in demonstrations criticizing her administration’s radical criminal justice policies, such as the HALT Act, from being hired for state positions.

Hochul also says she will recommend these concerned officers be removed from the Central Registry of Police and Peace Officers, which would prevent them from being hired as police at the state and local levels. Hawley is frustrated that this administration continues to go out of its way to keep our law enforcement officers down and coddle career criminals.

“It’s clear now more than ever that Gov. Hochul has fully turned her back on the law enforcement community,” said Hawley. “This isn’t just a simple policy decision, it’s political censorship. Had these officers been demonstrating in support of closing prisons and bail reform, she would be calling them heroes. If this administration had any common sense left, they would be standing alongside our men and women in blue, not taking away their livelihood.

“These are working families who are being hung out to dry because Gov. Hochul can’t handle the fact that her policies created this crisis. This decision is out of touch and reckless, and New Yorkers have had enough. It’s about time the governor got off her high horse and did her job instead of firing correctional officers for trying to protect theirs.”