CONTACT:
John Nuthall
212-298-9187
Bronx, NY - The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (NYC PBA) stood with the family of fallen Police Officer Didarul Islam and state and city elected officials Wednesday outside the hero cop’s Bronx precinct to announce the upcoming introduction of the Didarul Islam Police Recruitment Act, new state legislation that would give a pension boost to recruits and police officers who start their careers in certain other NYPD titles or another city agency.
Police Officer Kamrul Hasan, P.O. Islam’s brother-in-law, said:
“His whole life, Didarul Islam wanted to do the right thing. It was his dream to become a police officer, and his service as an NYPD School Safety Agent helped him achieve that dream. He was proud to be able to make a difference in his community while providing a good life for his family, and he encouraged others to do the same. Our family is grateful to the state legislators and City Council members who are honoring Didarul’s memory by supporting legislation to help police officers like him.”
PBA President Patrick Hendry said:
“Our brother Didarul Islam represented the very best of our profession. Our city and state leaders must do everything they can to recruit and retain more police officers like him. This legislation would correct an injustice by ensuring they receive full credit for all of their time serving and protecting this city. We thank all of the elected leaders who are standing with us to support this bill, and we look forward to growing that support in the months ahead.”
P.O. Islam was working in uniform for an NYPD-managed security program when he was killed during the July 2025 mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue. Prior to becoming a police officer, he served as an NYPD School Safety Agent at Bronx Lehman High School for two years and often encouraged friends and neighbors to follow the same path.
The new legislation, to be sponsored by Senator Robert Jackson (D, Manhattan) and Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato (D, Queens), would enable uniformed NYPD members hired since 2009 with prior service as NYPD School Safety Agents, Traffic Agents, Cadet Corps members or NYC Corrections Officers to transfer credit from that service into the Police Pension Fund by making additional required pension contributions (i.e., “buying back” the time). This prior service would then count towards their police retirement – a powerful incentive to bolster both recruitment and retention and address the NYPD’s ongoing, historic staffing crisis.
The legislation, which will be formally introduced prior to the start of the new state legislative session in January, would benefit approximately 3,000 current NYPD members and all future recruits. NYPD members hired prior to July 2009 are already permitted to buy back their prior service in these titles, but that benefit was eliminated for new hires by then-Governor David Paterson’s veto of pension extension legislation. A prior version of the legislation was estimated to cost the city $18.2 million in the first year.
New York State Senator Robert Jackson, bill sponsor and chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions, said:
“Officer Didarul Islam answered the call to serve not for recognition, but out of a deep belief in protecting others. His legacy reminds us that every act of service—no matter the title—carries weight, risk, and dignity. The Didarul Islam Police Recruitment Act addresses a longstanding injustice by acknowledging the early, often invisible years of public safety service performed by school safety agents, correction officers, traffic enforcement agents, and cadets. In bearing Officer Islam’s name, this legislation carries forward his legacy—with a commitment to fairness that reflects the very values he gave his life to uphold.”
New York State Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato, bill sponsor and chair of the Committee on Governmental Employees, said:
“Officer Islam loved his City – he embodied the best of the New York spirit. We are dedicating this bill in his honor to bring parity to thousands of current, and future, heroic police officers,” said New York State Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato. “By strategically tackling a major barrier to buy back rightfully earned pension time, we are ensuring that those who wish to join the ranks of New Yorks Finest are able to serve honorably, while also providing a good life for their families. May Disarul Islam’s memory forever be a blessing.”
New York State Senator Jamaal Bailey said:
“Police Officer Didarul Islam embodied the very morals our city and officers aim to protect: service, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to protecting our community. His journey from School Safety Agent to Police Officer reflects the dedication of so many who begin their public service careers in civilian roles with the hope of making a lasting difference. The Didarul Islam Police Recruitment Act ensures that these officers receive the pension credit and recognition they deserve by honoring their full service to the people of New York. This legislation not only pays tribute to Officer Islam’s legacy, but strengthens our ability to recruit and retain the officers who keep our communities safe. I am grateful to Senator Jackson and Assemblymember Pheffer Amato for championing this bill and for standing with Officer Islam’s family as we work to build a fairer, stronger NYPD.”
New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías said:
“Officer Didarul Islam embodied what service in this city is meant to look like — unwavering, committed, and rooted in the very communities he protected. As a member of the Bangladeshi community in the district I represent, and his journey from School Safety Agent in the Bronx to the NYPD reflects the belief that public service can open doors to dignified and stable careers, the kind of future families in our neighborhoods work every day to build for their children. This legislation gives us the opportunity to honor Officer Islam’s legacy by ensuring that the men and women who start their careers supporting our students, managing our streets, or safeguarding our city’s facilities are given full credit for that work when they step into the NYPD. I’m proud to stand with the PBA, Senator Jackson, Assembly Member Pheffer Amato, and Officer Islam’s family to advance the Didarul Islam Police Recruitment Act.”
New York City Council Member Kevin Riley said:
“The Didarul Islam Police Recruitment Act honors the journey of Police Officer Didarul Islam, who served this city with distinction first as a School Safety Agent and later as an NYPD officer. This legislation recognizes that pathway and restores fairness for the officers who follow in his footsteps. I am proud to stand with the Islam family and my colleagues to support a bill that strengthens recruitment, honors service, and ensures every member who dedicates years to this city receives the credit they deserve.”