Golden and Malliotakis push for passage of Officer Randolph Holder Law

Hero Cop Will Have New Law Named in His Honor

February 3, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

State Sen. Marty Golden and state Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis are cosponsors of a bill that will be put before the Senate today. Eagle photo by John Alexander

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State Sen. Marty Golden and state Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis have joined forces to sponsor the “Officer Randolph Holder Law.” The law, which is sponsored in the Senate and Assembly, makes necessary reforms to the judicial diversion programs in order to ensure and enhance public safety.

The bill is scheduled to be put before the Senate Monday. Representatives from law enforcement are also expected to be in attendance.

On Oct. 20, 2015, NYPD Officer Randolph Holder was on patrol in East Harlem responding to a report of gun shots in the area when he was senselessly murdered while chasing a drug dealer. The person who committed the crime had five previous drug convictions, was wanted by the police in connection with a Sept. 1, 2015 shooting, and had a warrant open for failing to participate in court ordered treatment.

Court records show that despite a lengthy criminal history, the shooter was approved by the court for a drug treatment program over the objections of the prosecutor, who argued in favor of incarceration given the history of violence he had displayed.

The “Officer Randolph Holder Law” would narrow the eligibility requirements for those entering judicial diversion, prohibiting those who have more than two prior felony convictions, according to the lawmakers. It would require the court to consider and make a finding of fact on the record, regarding the risk a defendant might pose to public safety.

Additionally, the new law would require the consent of the district attorney before a defendant is granted entry into a diversion program.