New York Senate Bill S07561

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/22/25
• Refer: 4/22/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Enacts the "Wandering Officers Act" prohibiting provisional or permanent appointment of a person as a police officer if such person has previously been fired as a police officer from any jurisdiction within or without the state, if such person left a position as a police officer either while under an investigation or while being the subject of a disciplinary action which could result in termination from any jurisdiction within or without the state, or if such person resigned while criminal charges were pending stemming from actions committed while on duty as a police officer in any jurisdiction within or without the state.

Summary

S07561, the “Wandering Officers Act,” would direct the state’s Civil Service Commission/council to adopt rules preventing the provisional or permanent appointment of certain individuals as police officers in New York. The bill targets applicants who were previously fired from police service in any jurisdiction, who left a police job while under investigation or facing disciplinary action that could lead to termination, or who resigned while criminal charges were pending for on-duty conduct. In practical terms, the bill creates a statewide hiring bar for law enforcement agencies and the Division of State Police when considering candidates with serious prior misconduct or unresolved disciplinary/criminal histories. It applies to prior police employment both inside and outside New York, and it would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

The bill would amend section 840 of the Executive Law by adding a new subdivision directing the relevant state council to promulgate eligibility rules for police officer appointments. Its effect would be to restrict civil service eligibility for police hiring statewide, limiting agencies’ ability to appoint applicants with certain prior terminations, disciplinary separations, or pending criminal charges tied to on-duty conduct. The measure would affect police agencies, the Division of State Police, civil service hiring processes, and applicants with prior law-enforcement misconduct histories.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or roll-call sentiment in the available record. Based on the bill’s purpose and caption, the measure appears to be framed as a police accountability and public trust reform aimed at preventing so-called “wandering officers” from moving between departments after serious misconduct. The available context suggests a policy rationale focused on screening out officers with problematic disciplinary histories rather than a partisan or procedural controversy.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be the balance between public safety and hiring flexibility. Supporters would view the bill as closing a loophole that allows officers with serious misconduct histories to be rehired elsewhere, while opponents may argue that it could be overbroad, rely on unresolved allegations or pending charges, and limit due process or local hiring discretion. Another possible issue is how agencies would verify out-of-state records and define the scope of disqualifying investigations or disciplinary actions.