Organized in 1901, the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police (NYSACOP) has an active membership of more than 600 police executives and supervisors. This membership represents a diverse group covering jurisdictions ranging from major metropolitan areas to the most remote, rural regions of New York State. Although many agencies have similar needs, there are also specialized concerns for some agencies because of their geographic location, financial situation, and other factors. As a state association, NYSACOP is in a position to help identify common needs and concerns among its constituency.

One of those issues is officer safety. When the current NYSACOP president took office, New York had experienced a 60 percent increase in officer fatalities. To reverse this unacceptable trend, the attitude for change needed to come from the top, in the form of four stated goals: