Special Prosecutor

For immediate release: April 1, 2021

Families of New Yorkers Killed by Police, Community Organizations, Mark the First Day Special Prosecutor Law Takes Effect

Today marks the enactment of the hard-fought law to codify and strengthen the special prosecutor’s office in New York State that investigates all killings by police and deaths in police custody.

For immediate release: June 10, 2020

Victory: Communities United for Police Reform Celebrates Package of Civil Rights Laws that Make New Yorkers Safer from Police

New York, NY – After years of organizing across New York City and New York State, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) celebrated the passage of a series of three bills collectively called the Safer NY Act that together increase police transparency and help increase accountability around New Yorkers' m

For immediate release: May 29, 2020

Communities United For Police Reform Responds to New York State Legislative Session

In response to the ongoing legislative session in New York state, the following statement can be attributed to Carolyn Martinez-Class, spokesperson for Communities United for Police Reform:

For immediate release: January 8, 2020

Communities United for Police Reform responds to Governor Cuomo's State of the State and failure to address police violence

In response to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2020 State of The State address, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement, which can be attributed to spokesperson Nahal Zamani:

"We’re disappointed in Governor Cuomo’s failure to address reducing police violence and improving police accountability and transparency in New York State.

For immediate release: June 6, 2019

Families Who Lost Loved Ones to Police Killings Call on Cuomo and Legislative Leaders to Pass Perry/Bailey Special Prosecutor Legislation & Repeal NYS Police Secrecy Law 50-a

 

 

16 New York family members whose loved ones were killed by police officers in New York state over the past twenty five years, called on Cuomo today to back (A1601A/S2574A) by Assemblymember Nick Perry and Senator Jamaal Bailey, after he threatened Monday to revoke the special prosecutor executive order he signed in 2015. The Perry/Bailey bill strengthens the 2015 executive order issued by Governor Cuomo and has previously passed the Assembly multiple times. Families call on all leaders to enact this and other important reform measures before the end of the legislative session June 19. Specifically, they called for the repeal NYS CRL Section 50-a, a controversial law known as the "police secrecy law" (A2513-O'Donnell/S3695-Bailey) before the end of session, and before the 5 year anniversary of the killing of Eric Garner by NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo.

Piden a la Legislatura pasar la ‘Safer NY Act’ para regular la actividad policial

Activistas y funcionarios electos protestaron para exigir que se revoque la medida 50-a
En la protesta participo una coalición de noventa organizaciones que impulsa la aprobación de esta ley.
03/21/2019
El Diario NY

Reclamando una reforma completa del sistema de justicia criminal, y una mayor transparencia y responsabilidad de las fuerzas policiales, un grupo de activistas y funcionarios electos, entre los que se encontraba el defensor del pueblo Jumaane Willians, se unieron este jueves en las escalinatas de la Alcaldía para pedir a la Legislatura estatal y al gobernador Andrew Cuomo pasar la ‘Safer NY

EXCLUSIVE: Reform groups say they'll lobby hard in Albany to repeal law that keeps police discipline records secret

A coalition of groups are calling for police reform and a repeal 50-a. (Susan Watts / New York Daily News)
02/11/2019
New York Daily News

A coalition of 88 police reform groups are making a hard push to scrap a decades-old state law that keeps officer discipline records secret.

The groups — many of them working under the banner of Communities United for Police Reform — will send a letter Tuesday to the state legislature calling for a series of police reforms, including the repeal of 50-a — a 1976 statute that limits public access to police and firefighters' disciplinary records.

For immediate release: February 12, 2019

Police Reform Groups and Families Impacted by Police Violence Tell State Legislature: Pass the Safer New York Act and Repeal 50-a, New York’s Harmful Police Secrecy Law

Albany, NY - Today, members and leaders of Communities United for Police Reform held a press conference and rally in the state capitol calling on the state legislature and Governor Cuomo to pass the Safer New York Act and repeal 50-a, New York’s harmful police secrecy law.

The Safer New York Act is a package of bills that would increase police transparency and accountability, and enhance public safety in communities across New York. 

Safer New York Act One Pager

The Safer New York Act is a package of bills in the New York State Legislature that would help increase police transparency and help increase accountability to New Yorkers' most common encounters with police. The Safer New York Act includes the Police Statistics and Transparency (STAT) Act,  codifying and strengthening the Special Prosecutor executive order, reducing Unnecessary Arrests for low-level, ticketable offenses, and repealing the NYS police secrecy law (CRL section 50-a).

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