Union Leader: 'Morale Remains Alarmingly Low' for N.Y. Troopers

ALBANY, NY — Low morale continues to plague the ranks of the State Police, according to an internal poll conducted by the union that represents thousands of troopers.

The survey also found roughly three-fourths of the agency's sworn members believe they are not treated fairly and honestly by the State Police's top-ranking officials.

The poll released this week underscores a continuing slide in the overall mood of state troopers who had also expressed concerns about low morale in a survey conducted two years ago. That survey, which was done by the agency, had been based on responses from about 56% of the State Police's more than 6,000 employees, including hundreds of civilian employees.

But the recent poll conducted by the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers solicited responses only from the members their union represents, which includes uniformed troopers up to and through the rank of major.

Trooper Charles Murphy, president of the PBA, said the union conducted the poll so that its members could "have the opportunity to voice their concerns both regularly and anonymously." He said the union's poll framed its questions around the agency's 2024 survey so that there would be a good measure of where workplace concerns are improving or getting worse.

"Our troopers are the best in the nation and proudly rise to meet new challenges and demands, but they are being forced to overcome largely avoidable obstacles that leadership has yet to meaningfully address," Murphy said. "Division must commit to a good-faith, collaborative partnership with the union's rank-and-file to improve morale, bolster recruitment, and ensure every trooper is backed by the safe resources they deserve."

But he said the poll shows that, compared to two years ago, sworn members' concerns have worsened.

"Morale remains alarmingly low," Murphy said. "Recruitment and retention continue to be a significant challenge. Our members are increasingly asked to do more with less, and faith in the agency's leadership has eroded."

After the Division of State Police conducted its first-ever workplace climate survey in 2024, Superintendent Steven G. James had promised a "thorough review of the survey results to identify opportunities where we can change and improve."

On Wednesday morning, James provided a statement to the Times Union in which he claimed the PBA's survey was "the result of regular conversations between me and union leadership; I encouraged the union to conduct the survey, and I welcome the results."

"I understand that our members have strong opinions about a wide range of issues that affect their work, and I appreciate their perspective and take their concerns seriously," James added. "I previously indicated to PBA President Charlie Murphy that we will use the survey as a jumping-off point to collaborate on addressing the members' concerns."

But Liz Benjamin, a spokeswoman for the PBA, disputed the superintendent's characterization of his involvement in the PBA's decision to conduct the survey.

"The survey was not done at his direction, but at the direction of the (PBA) board due to disappointment that this was not an annual exercise (by the agency)," Benjamin said.

After the 2024 workplace climate survey, James had promised a "thorough review of the survey results to identify opportunities where we can change and improve."

The PBA said that in the absence of a follow-up climate survey from headquarters, they decided to conduct their own, using largely the same questions so that a comparison could be made.

The PBA's survey found 80% of its members who responded do not believe that agency leaders listen to or act on their concerns. Another 73% do not believe they are treated fairly and honestly, and 80% responded that morale is not good.

On the positive side, 72% of the PBA members who took part in the survey said they are satisfied with their immediate supervisors, and 58% are satisfied with their troop commanders. But when that question was posed in connection with executive staff, just 10% were satisfied and 61% responded that they were unsatisfied — which is a sharp decrease from the responses in the 2024 survey.

The survey also signaled that there may be issues with the State Police's disciplinary system, as 70% of respondents said they are concerned they "may get into trouble while performing the duties of my job in good faith."

More than 30% of respondents said they disagree that the agency is concerned for their safety, with another 25% remaining neutral on that point.

The 2024 survey was taken that spring, several months after James emerged from retirement after being appointed to lead the agency by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The Times Union reported in February 2024 that James had cleared out most of the agency's top positions on his first day in the job, removing multiple colonels and deputy superintendents from key roles in one of the agency's biggest one-day leadership shakeups on record.

James, a Niskayuna resident who had retired from the agency in 2020, had risen through the ranks and spent much of his law enforcement career working at Troop G, which is headquartered in Colonie.

In his statement Wednesday, James said that from the day he was appointed by Hochul, his "priorities have included bringing our agency to full staffing, providing troopers with the latest equipment to improve their safety and effectiveness, and committing resources necessary to ensure their health and well-being. I remain steadfast in my resolve to support our members and the work they do to protect New Yorkers."

James sweeping overhaul of the agency's top brass two years ago came after a period of turmoil during both the administrations of Hochul and former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who had faced allegations of meddling with the agency's personnel decisions. In the past two years, Hochul, who succeeded Cuomo in August 2021, had two acting superintendents resign — Kevin P. Bruen and Steven Nigrelli — in the face of investigations of their workplace conduct.

_______________

© 2026 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.).

Visit www.timesunion.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.