Section 292. Legislative intent

It is the intent of the legislature, by
  the enactment of this article, to establish a separate retirement system
  for policemen and firemen and to  transfer  thereto  all  policemen  and
  firemen  who,  on the effective date of such article, are members of the
  New York state employees' retirement system, and all other  persons  who
  are  members  of such system and contributing pursuant to the provisions
  of sections eighty-one to  eighty-seven,  inclusive,  of  this  chapter,
  immediately  prior  to the effective date of this article, together with
  such rights, benefits, privileges, obligations and duties enjoyed by  or
  applicable  to  such  policemen, firemen and other persons as members of
  the employees' retirement system.