N.Y. Civ. Serv. Law § 83

§ 83. Legislative intent. In the event that municipalities propose a\nmerger of all or part of existing police agencies within counties in\nestablishing a countywide, a part-county or combinations of municipal\npolice agencies, orderly transitional procedures will be required. In\nsuch consolidations of the police functions within a county it is\nnecessary to provide a uniform and equitable method for transferring the\nmembers of existing police departments into the combined agency\nstructure. Such methods should protect the rights held by present\nemployees in their existing organization.\n