New York State & New York City Police Reforms
New York State Bans Chokeholds
On June 12, 2020 New York State became one of the first states to ban the use of chokeholds by law enforcement. The use of chokeholds by law enforcement officer will be a felony. New York also repealed Civil Rights Law § 50-a which kept police disciplinary records secret. Other reforms include prohibiting Race-Based 911 Calls and designating the Attorney General as an Independent Prosecutor for police involved deaths.
New York City Reforms Police Department Disciplinary System
On June 17, 2020, New York City announced reforms to the their disciplinary system. These reforms include:
- Faster Discipline – The Police Commissioner will make an initial determination on whether to place the officer on modified duty or suspension within 48 hours of an incident involving substantial bodily injury. NYPD will conclude the investigation within 2 weeks.
- Transparent Discipline – The NYPD will publish all trial decisions or settlements.
- Body Camera Footage – All video and audio footage must be released within 30 days when
- An officer discharges a firearm that hits or could hit someone
- An officer discharges a Taser in a way that results in death or substantial bodily harm
- An officer’s use of force results in death or great bodily harm.
New York City Police Department Accountability Package
On Jul. 15, 2020 New York City also banned the use of chokeholds. The legislation protects the right of citizens to record police activity and ensures that all New York City Police Department officers have their shield number and rank designations visible at all times while on the job.
Contact Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP
Cops are sworn to uphold the law. We hold cops accountable when they fail to do so. If you or a loved one has been the victim of police misconduct or police brutality, the cop accountability attorneys at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP can help.
The cop accountability attorneys at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP handle all types of police misconduct and police brutality cases including those that involve excessive force, illegal chokeholds, racial profiling, wrongful search and seizures, false arrest, false imprisonment, witness tampering and police corruption.
The cop accountability attorneys at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP are committed to helping victims of police brutality or misconduct and will hold police officers and law enforcement agencies accountable. Our firm’s motto is “Don’t Be A Victim Twice”.
If you are a victim of police misconduct or police brutality, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule a confidential consultation. The call is free. The consultation is free. You don’t pay us unless we are successful. That’s our “Our Fee Guarantee – No Fee Unless Successful. We are the cop accountability law firm. When cops fail to protect and serve, we hold them accountable!
