Bill Would Require Cops To Have CPR Training Every 2 Years

CITY HALL, MANHATTAN — A bill before Gov. Andrew Cuomo would require police officers to get CPR training at least every two years.

"Briana's Law" is named named after an 11-year-old girl who died after an asthma attack on a Carroll Gardens playground. Her family and a group of lawmakers urged Cuomo to sign the bill at a rally on the steps of City Hall on Thursday.

"Briana’s Law ensures our police officers have the training to provide life-saving assistance in an emergency," State Senator Jesse Hamilton said in a statement. "Now is the time for Governor Cuomo to affirm that important legacy and put Briana’s Law on the statute books."

Briana Ojeda was playing on the playground in August of 2010 when she suffered a severe asthma attack. Her mom was driving her to Long Island College Hospital when she was stopped by a police officer for driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

The officer didn't know how to perform CPR but let the mom go. Briana died at the hospital.

"Briana’s Law will help save lives and honors the Ojeda family who has been fighting for this law ever since their daughter died after a police officer failed to administer CPR to her during an asthma attack," Assemblyman Felix Ortiz said in a statement. "All first responders and police officers should be trained in CPR. It’s a basic part of emergency response efforts."

The American Heart Association recommends CPR training every two years for people who are certified. Under NYPD policy, officers are trained in CPR as cadets but never retrained.

The legislation is supported by the NYPD and its police officers' union.

"We are pleased to be part of legislation that honors the memory of Briana Ojeda," NYPD Commissioner James O'Neil said in a statement. "This bill is consistent with the NYPD’s focus on providing the best, most comprehensive training to our police officers, all of whom receive substantial training in CPR and the use of AEDs while in the Police Academy. Further, we remain committed to providing consistent retraining on a regular basis."

Image courtesy Sen. Jesse Hamilton's office