New York Police Reform Bills That We Need to Know...
By Breanna Robinson
Following the prejudiced murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparking protests throughout the country, the nation created the Justice in Policing Act of 2020–an act drafted by Democrats in Congress and members of the Congressional Black Caucus further aiming to combat policy misconduct in all forms when constitutional rights are violated.
Within New York State, lawmakers passed 10 legislative bills meant to reform police departments across New York. The goals of this legislation require courts to publish racial and demographic data of low level offenses that happen, make chokeholds as restraint illegal and add transparency to police disciplinary records.
“ Black New Yorkers, like all residents of the state deserve to know their rights and that lives are valued and protected by our justice system…” said the Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins on the importance of the new legislation and understanding the grief and horrific murders of innocent people such as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery ,Tony McDade and many others as well.
The Senate is beginning to reform the system that will empower the nation while also helping to save the lives of citizens.
State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (ctr) debates a bill that will Repeal Section 50-a of the Civil Rights Law. Personnel records, including disciplinary records, can be released, but all sensitive information would be redacted. via Syracuse
Below, are the reform bills that will be enacted:
Senate Bill S.2575B : This bill will require local and state law enforcement officers (as well as peace officers) to report within six hours after they have discharged their weapon where a person could have been hurt or whether they were on or off duty.
Senate Bill S.8493: The New York State Police Body-Worn Cameras Program will will be a part of The Division of State Police to provide state police officers with body cameras that are to be used at any time an officer performs and patrols within mandated working hours when the camera is going to be turned on, and recording interactions.
Senate Bill S.6601A: This bill is set to amend The Civil Rights Law by affirming New Yorkers’ rights to medical and mental health assistance while in police custody.
Senate Bill S.8492 : This grants the private right of action for any member of a protected class when another person summons the police or peace officer on them without any reason to suspect a crime or threat to the person or the property.
Senate Bill S.1830C: The Police Statistics and Transparency Act requires courts to compose and publish the demographic and racial data of all low-level offenses that come through the system including violations and misdemeanors. The bill also requires the police department to submit annual reports on arrest-related deaths, and submit it into The Department of Criminal Justice Services, the governor, and legislature.
Senate Bill S.3595B: This bill will establish the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office within the Department of Law to audit, study, and make recommendations regarding policies, programs,and practices within the law enforcement agencies. The ultimate goal of this bill is to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement while increasing the safety of the community to protect civil liberties and rights.
Senate Bill S.6670B: The Eric Garner Anti- Chokehold Act will prevent and charge the use of chokeholds by police officers as a crime of aggravated strangulation and classified as a Class C felony.
Senate Bill S.2574B: This bill will create an Office of Special Investigation within the Department of Law under the Attorney General, which will thoroughly investigate and prosecute ( if needed) any circumstance of a person whose death was caused by a police officer or peace officer.
Senate Bill S.3253B: This bill will help maintain custody, control and ownership of those recording police activities control, and ownership of the tools used in recording police activities as long as said person doing the recording is not under arrest or in the custody of law enforcement officials.
Senate Bill S.8496: This bill will repeal section 50-a of The Civil Rights Law that provides protection to the personal records of police officers, firefighters, and other correctional officers. This protection however has also been modified to include the disciplinary records of all law enforcement officers as well. In addition, this would subject the records to FOIL( Freedom of Information Law) just like the records kept by public agencies, all the while protecting the sensitive personal contact and health information of the officers.
