On December 18, 2025, the New York City Council passed the Aland Etienne Safety and Security Act. Sponsored by Speaker Adrienne Adams, this historic legislation will help address a turnover crisis plaguing the private security industry, where the average officer makes $40,311 and 37.8% lack health insurance through their employer or the employer of a household member. To stem this crisis, the legislation guarantees wage, benefits, and paid time off standards for the city’s 81,900 private security officers. The legislation is now on the Mayor’s desk.

The legislation is named for Aland Etienne, the security officer and 32BJ SEIU member who was tragically killed while trying to save lives during the July mass shooting at 345 Park Ave. Etienne’s family has testified in support of the Act, which honors Etienne’s legacy by recognizing and uplifting the frontline workers New York increasingly relies on as first responders, while also bolstering public safety.

The Act would:

The legislation will guarantee minimum compensation standards for the approximately 60,000private security officers who are not currently covered by the prevailing wage or comparable wage mandate. The legislation outlines a local, industry-wide standard for wages, benefits and paid time off, to be phased in per the following timeline:

• Year 1: Hourly Wage – Security officers must be paid a wage that is  no less than the wage set for private sector security officers employed on city contracts. The current rate for city-contacted officers is $18.02-$21.201 (the higher rate for officers with 3+ years of experience or 1+ years of experience and who meet specified training certifications receive the higher rate.)
• Year 2: Paid Time Off – Security officers must be provided with no less than the paid time off required for private sector security officers employed on city contracts. Paid time off includes holidays, vacation, and sick leave. 
• Year 3: Benefits Supplement – Security officers must be provided with no less than the benefits supplement required for private sector security officers employed on city contracts. This can be provided in the form of benefits, cash, or a combination of the two.