New York's governor signed a bill Monday that raises the mandatory retirement age for NYPD officers to 65.

NYPD's previous mandatory retirement age for Tier 2 and Tier 3 was 63, according to a news release from Gov. Kathy Hochul. The new legislation is an effort to let experienced officers to keep serving. 

"To have a safe city, we must have the best and most experienced police officers who are committed to public service," NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said in a statement. "When this department was facing a staffing shortage, we worked with our partners across government to open more pathways for talented people to join and stay on the job. This legislation will help improve retention and ensure our officers get what they deserve for their years of sacrifice and hard work."

Assemblymember Charles Fall, who sponsored the bill, echoed that sentiment.

"Our experienced NYPD officers bring decades of knowledge, leadership and mentorship to the job, and we should give them the opportunity to keep serving," he said in a statement. "This legislation gives dedicated NYPD members who are ready and able the choice to continue serving until age 65."

Along with raising the mandatory retirement age, Hochul signed legislation that allows Tier 2 officers who began service on or after July 1, 2000, to base their pension on either their final 12 months of pay or the average of their three highest-earning years, whichever is higher. The department had previously only given Tier 2 officers who started before July 1, 2000, that option.

"This reform gives our Detectives the ability to decide when the time is right for them to retire, instead of continuing to chase the carrot to secure the pension they’ve earned," NYPD Detectives Endowment Association President Scott Munro said. "That means more control over their future and more time with their families now. It will also help the NYPD retain experienced, highly skilled Detectives who are invaluable to keeping this city safe."

Hochul said she signed both bills to strengthen the NYPD and support its officers. 

"New York needs our police officers, and when experienced officers want to continue serving, we want them to stay on the job," she said in a statement. "I'm signing these bills to give our officers the opportunity to serve longer while ensuring their retirement benefits reflect their commitment to New York City. Their service is essential to the safety of our communities, and these bills recognize everything they do for New Yorkers."