Legislator honored as a 'Friend of Law Enforcement'

Senator George D. Maziarz was honored with the "Friend of Law Enforcement" award from the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Inc. The presentation of the award was made during a ceremony at NYSCOPBA's conference in Albany.

Maziarz received the honor for sponsoring Senate Bill 4412-A of 2004, legislation that was signed into law by Governor Pataki late last year. This measure allowed Community Correctional Center Assistants to participate in the 25-year retirement plan available to Correctional Officers.

Community Correctional Center Assistants (CCCAs) perform Correctional Officer job duties with additional supervisory and communication duties. Despite the CCCA position being one which is often transferred to by COs, the CCCA job title was never formally included within the provisions of Section 89 of the Retirement and Social Security Law, which establishes the 25-year retirement plan. Maziarz' legislation corrected this oversight.