Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, has written a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to repeal the state’s cashless bail policies and reinstate the “dangerousness” standard for setting bail. Lawler is also calling for the firing of all members of the state’s parole board for repeatedly releasing cop killers onto the streets. He has proposed a new law that would mandate lifetime prison sentences without parole for murderers convicted of killing police officers, peace officers, first responders, and correctional officers.
The uncle of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller confronted Governor Hochul outside his nephew’s wake and accused her of having blood on her hands due to the state’s bail laws that led to the suspect’s release. Hochul faced criticism for the state’s cash bail laws that were deemed to be lenient, allowing dangerous criminals to be released before trial. Stephanie Diller, the grieving wife of Officer Diller, made a plea to state lawmakers to prioritize the protection of police officers and their families.
Governor Hochul has been vocal about her desire to make changes to New York’s bail laws that would address the issue of dangerous criminal defendants being released back onto the streets. However, her attempts to increase penalties have been met with resistance from fellow Albany Democrats. Despite efforts to enact changes to the bail laws, New York remains the only state where judges are not allowed to consider the “dangerousness” of criminal defendants when setting bail.
In 2023, attacks on police officers in New York surged, resulting in a record number of officers being injured on the job. Felony assaults in trains and stations also reached a nearly three-decade high. A study by John Jay College of Criminal Justice found that a majority of individuals released under New York’s bail reform policy were re-arrested within two years. Furthermore, Lawler pointed out that 38 convicts convicted of murdering police officers have been released from New York prisons since 2017.
Lawler highlighted the lack of security in communities, the increase in crime statistics, and the strain on law enforcement officers’ morale and retention due to the inadequate support they receive. He emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep communities safe. Lawler referenced statistics showing that 200 officers are leaving the NYPD every month, indicating a problem in retaining qualified officers in the force. Governor Hochul’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the issues raised by Lawler and others regarding criminal justice policies in New York.
