Sheriff Blasts Bill Proposing Peace Officers Forego Firearms

RIVERHEAD, NY —Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. is voicing his "strongest opposition" to new legislation proposed in the Assembly that would prevent peace officers from carrying firearms.

Toulon sent letters out Friday to all members of Long Island’s State Assembly and Senate delegation to urge them to reject the legislation, which was introduced on July 9 by Assembly Member and Linda Rosenthal, who represents parts of New York City.

Assembly Bill A10755, an act to amend the criminal procedure law and the penal law in relation to prohibiting peace officers from carrying firearms, would “severely interfere with local law enforcement’s ability to protect public safety and could have serious personal safety consequences for correction officers, as well as probation and parole officers, among others,” Toulon said.

In the letter, the County Sheriff urged lawmakers to “take into account the distinctive roles and jobs of peace officers in New York State and the level of dangerousness of a position such as a correction officer.” He told lawmakers not to overreact to the current political climate by enacting laws that he believes hamper public safety and put officers at risk.

“As with other issues facing our county, our state, and our nation, I believe in a commonsense approach to law enforcement," Toulon said.

He added that "correction officers work on a daily basis with some of New York’s most dangerous individuals — gang members, terrorists, and those accused and convicted of a host of violent crimes. Our officers are required to interact with and supervise offenders, and it is not uncommon for inmates to threaten the lives of county correction officers, and even threaten to harm their families."

While correction officers do not carry firearms while on duty inside inmate housing areas, other correction officer posts require the carrying of firearms, including the front visiting area, the perimeter yard and yard tower posts, and in all areas surrounding the confines of the facility, he said.

Correction officers receive firearms training; there is a "very real risk" they may be targeted after certain inmates leave custody, Toulon said. "The nature of the job carries with it an intrinsic risk for personal harm," he said.

He added that he believes the bill misrepresents the level of training certain peace officers receive; Suffolk County correction officers receive 450 hours of training, which is "far higher" than the 180-hour minimum standard cited in the bill’s justification, he said; correction officers also receive 40 hours of initial firearms training, Toulon said.

Rosenthal could not immediately be reached for comment.