The Staffing Crisis in NY Courts JEOPARDIZES Public Safety.

THE PUBLIC IS AT RISK.

JUSTIN BARRY MUST ACT.

For years, court officers have worked through it all: COVID, budget cuts, and dangerous courtrooms. But right now, our courts are short-staffed, overburdened, and increasingly dangerous. Some courtrooms can’t open. Others are running without enough officers to protect judges, jurors, attorneys, or the public.

The solution is obvious: transfer officer trainees immediately to the courts that need them most.

The only person who can authorize those transfers is Justin Barry, Executive Director, Office of Court Administration, NYS Unified Court System.

This is his moment to act.

THE CRISIS IN NUMBERS

  • 150 officers lost every year to retirement, promotion, or burnout

  • Up to 35% of posts are unfilled in some boroughs

  • Courts across NYC forced to delay trials or close rooms entirely

  • Officers regularly confiscate weapons—from knives to handguns to grenades

This isn’t a long-term policy debate.

It’s an emergency.

The officers are ready.

The solution is simple.

The delay is unacceptable.

WHAT OUR OFFICERS ARE SAYING

  • "We had multiple violent altercations and our people were sent to the hospital causing even more staffing issues. It is a never ending cycle of violence in our courts."

  • "Something has to be done. It is dangerous to continue to work in these unsafe conditions while they keep adding judges."

  • "We are barely equipped to operate safely. Half of our parts are completely understaffed on a daily basis. When violent incidents occur, more courtrooms have to be shuttered for insufficient staff."

  • "The environment is a powder keg of rival gangs meeting in our hallways and settling their issues with weapons. Someone is going to get killed."

  • "We intervene in these wild brawls as part of our duties and those responsible have minimal repercussions while dozens of our members are out of work injured, sapping our Officers even more."

President Patrick Cullen:

"The current staffing situation is atrocious. Commands are operating at 35% deficits and scores of our members are out of work long term due to injuries sustained from brutally violent incidents. These conditions are untenable, and the Office of Court Administration’s neglect is astonishing. We continue to offer solutions that will help our members report to a safer workplace, yet with dismal indifference, administrators have failed to act."

WHAT WE’RE ASKING FOR

We are calling on Executive Director Justin Barry to:

  • Authorize immediate transfers of trained officers to under-resourced courts

  • Stabilize courtroom operations and ensure basic public safety

  • Demonstrate leadership and responsiveness in his first months on the job

This isn’t about hiring. That takes months.

This is about using the officers we already have NOW.

SEND A MESSAGE NOW

Tell Justin Barry: Authorize Emergency Officer Transfers Now.

MESSAGE TEXT BEING SENT TO:
Executive Director Justin Barry, Office of Court Administration
Governor Kathy Hochul, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, Attorney General Letitia James, Chief Judge Rowan Wilson, Senate and Assembly Judiciary Chairs

SUBJECT: Fix Court Staffing Now

BODY: I am writing to express my deep concern about the unsafe staffing levels in New York courts. Trained officers are available, but courtroom posts remain unfilled. The delay is putting the safety of judges, court employees, and the public at risk.

I urge Executive Director Justin Barry to immediately authorize the transfer of officers to where they are needed most.

This is a moment for leadership. Our courts can’t wait.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Add your name to the growing list of court officers, legal professionals, and New Yorkers demanding urgent action.

WHO ARE COURT OFFICERS?

  • First to respond when violence erupts in a courtroom

  • Tasked with protecting judges and escorting dangerous defendants

  • Responsible for securing entrances, confiscating weapons, and protecting public access to justice

Justice cannot be delivered without them.