218 New Troopers Join New York State Police Ranks

Governor Addresses State Troopers on Commitment to Public Safety, Fighting Crime, Eradicating Gun Violence

Announces Over 8,000 Illegal Guns Seized Statewide Since January

Governor Kathy Hochul joined Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli in honoring 218 new New York State Troopers as they graduated today from the 211th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Today's graduation increases the State Police ranks to 4,742 sworn members.

"Serving as a New York State Police Trooper has only grown more complex, and their commitment to protecting the people of our state is an inspiration to us all," Governor Hochul said. "These 218 men and women are dedicating themselves to public service, and as Governor, I will continue to do everything I can to protect them in the same way they protect us. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I congratulate the graduates and thank them for their hard work and perseverance."

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, "Today's graduation is the culmination of six months of difficult classwork, physical training, and sacrifice, and we now welcome our newest members to one of the most prestigious and well-respected law enforcement agencies in the nation. I am confident they are equipped to carry out our mission to serve our communities with the same professionalism and pride the State Police have exhibited for the past 105 years."

The Governor also announced that more than 8,000 guns have been seized statewide since January - the highest number of illegal guns confiscated for this period in the last two decades - and highlighted the work of the Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns.

The Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns is a multi-state consortium convened to share intelligence, tools, tactics, and strategies to combat gun violence. The Task Force has fostered significant cooperation and collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont since its creation earlier this year. Task Force members have convened several times this year to discuss data, intelligence, strategies and other tactics critical to their ongoing efforts to address the increase in gun violence that has occurred in New York and the nation since early 2020.

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