New York approves large-scale police reform package: what changes are coming

This is a large-scale police reform package. It took the authorities nearly six years to pass some of these laws. This publication writes CNN.

What bills were passed

The New York City Council has passed six bills that will significantly affect the work of the police. These bills include: the requirement that officer badge numbers be visible, an official ban on the use of asphyxiating grabs or other maneuvers that restrict blood circulation or airflow, and a bill requiring surveillance technology surveillance by the New York City Police Department.

The reform package also creates a punishment system for police officers with disciplinary problems, and a system for interfering with the training of “problem” employees. A bill has also been passed that enacts the right to record interactions with the police.

Council members began work on a ban on strangulation in 2014, shortly after the death of Eric Garner. He, like Floyd, died of asphyxiation during detention. In the video recording the incident, one can hear Garner telling the cop holding him back that he cannot breathe.

At a press conference ahead of the vote, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson apologized for taking the bill for so long. “I think talking about police and what public safety looks like should have started a long time ago,” Johnson said at a press conference held via Zoom. - It should have started after all these deaths that we saw, but, unfortunately, it did not start. But this reasoning that we are seeing now creates a moment for us to really start this conversation again. "

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Johnson became Speaker of the City Council in 2018. Prior to that, in 2015, he voted to support the city budget, which increases NYPD staff by 1300. For this move, he and other members of the council recently came under a barrage of criticism. “I want to apologize for that,” Johnson said. “And not come up with excuses or give you a list of reasons. This is the moment of reckoning. This is payback for America, this is payback for our city. "

What preceded this

The reform package was adopted after nationwide protests caused by the death of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis. The man died from an officer holding a knee on his neck for almost 9 minutes.

New York City Councilor Donovan Richards said Floyd's death showed Americans what "we go through on a daily basis." “People all over the world are marching in honor of George Floyd. This is a unique moment in history. We cannot rest on our laurels. We still have a lot to do, ”he said.

Recall that on June 8, the New York State Assembly passed a law prohibiting the use of asphyxiation, resulting in injury or death. New York City Councilor Rory Lancman explained that the bill prohibits officers from sitting, pressing their knees, or standing on the suspect’s chest or back in a way that restricts air or blood flow.

Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, said on June 18 that she was disappointed that almost six years passed before the strangulation ban was passed. “At some point I was told that it most likely will not pass (the bill - Ed.),” Said Carr. “I'm glad they saw fit to do this. This is a step in the right direction. I hope other laws will be passed to stop murders and other crimes against blacks and browns. ”

On Thursday, Lankman said the delay in passing the strangulation ban was due to a threat from mayor Bill de Blasio to veto the bill.

On Thursday, June 18, de Blasio announced at a press conference that he would sign the law. “We need to give people confidence that the police will be fair. I am convinced that this law will do it and I will sign it, ”de Blasio said.

All six measures are taken by a majority with veto power.

In addition to the law on the prohibition of strangulation, the Council also adopted a law on public oversight of surveillance technologies. He will require the police to disclose how they use surveillance technology and what guarantees they provide to protect civil liberties.

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A spokeswoman for the NYPD said the department could not support the law, which "appears to be designed to help criminals and terrorists thwart efforts to suppress them and endanger brave officers." “To be clear, the bill as it is currently being proposed literally requires NYPD to post on their website information about classified equipment and equipment used by undercover officers who risk their lives every day.” said Detective Sophia Mason.

The Legal Aid Society of New York issued a statement welcoming the passage of the surveillance bill. “Today's adoption of the POST Act (Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology - Ed.) Marks a critical shift in transparency and a significant step in the broader fight for police responsibility to protect communities of color, the LGBTQ + community and all police communities,” said Jerome Greco. Greco), a lawyer for the organization.