Pictures available by clicking here.
BROCKPORT, N.Y.—SUNY University Police at the campus of SUNY Brockport joined with local emergency personnel recently to train on water rescues at the new pedestrian bridge over the Erie Canal.
The bridge, which connects the Empire State Trail and the village of Brockport to the SUNY Brockport campus, opened in July 2025 and is now seeing heavy foot traffic as campus opens for the fall semester.
“The commitment to immediately train and protect against a rare worst-case scenario reflects the everyday dedication of SUNY University Police officers at Brockport and across the state of New York,” said James McCartney, president of the PBA of New York State, which represents SUNY officers. “Our organization commends the foresight of SUNY Brockport Emergency Management and our member officers in Brockport, for preparing to keep students safe in every way imaginable as they return to campus this year.”
The water rescue training on August 19 was coordinated by SUNY Brockport Emergency Management and was jointly carried out with the Brockport Fire Department. Members of the SUNY Brockport Office of Residential Life acted as “victims” for the training exercise.
Pictures of the training exercise are available for media by clicking here.
About PBA of New York State: Established in 2011, the Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA of New York State) is a law enforcement labor union representing the interests of approximately 1,200 members of the New York State Agency Police Services Unit (APSU). The PBA of New York State is the exclusive bargaining agent for the New York State University Police (SUNY Police), the New York State Environmental Conservation Police (ECO), the New York State Park Police and the New York State Forest Rangers. Our members patrol and protect New York State’s public universities and colleges, state parks and historic sites, and enforce all state laws and regulations protecting New York’s lands, forests, waterways, environment and citizens. Learn more at pbanys.org.