On March 7, 2025, President Powell testified before the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety. President Powell spoke about how the New York City Department of Probation is in crisis with chronic understaffing, dangerously high caseloads, and poor decision-making which jeopardizes both public safety and staff well-being. She informed the City Council that instead of fixing this crisis, the administration has:

Canceled academy classes and postponed critical hiring exams.
Forced officers to carry firearms without proper retraining.
Stripped probation officers of their distinct identity, pushing them toward a policing model without providing equal pay, benefits, or protections.
Ignored solutions proposed by UPOA to accelerate hiring and reduce strain on officers.

President Powell reminded the Council that UPOA members are highly educated professionals—predominantly women and people of color—who serve as an essential alternative to incarceration, giving justice-involved individuals a second chance while keeping our communities safe. But we cannot do our jobs effectively without investment in staffing, fair wages, and respect for our role in the justice system. To view the video of the meeting, minutes and testimony click here and to read President Powell’s testimony in its entirety click here.