NYPD Required To Have CPR Training Every 2 Years Under New Law

NEW YORK, NY — NYPD officers will be required to undergo CPR training every two years under a new law signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday.

Currently, officers get training as cadets but are never retrained after that. The legislation had the support of the NYPD and its officers' union.

"This common-sense law will give law enforcement the training and the tools that will help save lives," Cuomo said in a statement. "CPR is a critical skill and by requiring law enforcement candidates and officers to become certified, we can create a safer New York for all."

The legislation is known as "Briana's law" after a 12-year-old girl who died after suffering an asthma attack on a Carroll Gardens playground.

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.

"This new CPR law will save lives so that other families don't have to go through the tragedy that our family faced," Michael Ojeda Sr., Briana's father, said at a press conference earlier this month.

The law goes into effect 60 days from Sunday.

"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