Right To Know Act News

City Council, de Blasio come to agreement on police search reform bills

12/12/2017
New York Post

The City Council and the mayor have reached agreement on two bills that place strict requirements on police officers conducting stops or searches — legislation that police union leaders say would “unquestionably place New Yorkers and police officers in harm’s way.”

Known collectively as the Right to Know Act, the legislation would require cops to explain to individuals “using plain and simple language” that they have a right to refuse to be searched — except in cases where there’s a firm legal basis for doing so.

The NYPD’s ‘Cult of Compliance’

01/25/2018
ACLU Blog

In New York City, bills are passed by city council members and signed by the mayor. But when the legislation is about policing, there is another, de-facto branch of government that must sign off: the New York Police Department. Though its leaders are not elected to office, the police bureaucracy acts as an unofficial gatekeeper that must be appeased before bills become law.

Communities United for Police Reform Responds to NYC Council Committee Vote on Police Reform Bill (Intro 541-C) & Bill That Undermines Police Accountability (Intro 182-D)

“While we are happy that Council Member Reynoso’s Intro 541-C passed, it’s disappointing that the Council’s Public Safety Committee decided to ignore the voices of New Yorkers directly impacted by police abuses, family members of New Yorkers killed by police over past decades, law enforcement associations of color, and over 200 civil rights, community, and legal organizations who oppose Intro 182-D. This version of the bill eliminates the most essential protections for New Yorkers in the majority of policing interactions, and has been advanced with only the support of those who obstructed it for the past four years. It isn’t sweeping, it isn’t reform and it isn’t progress – it’s a step backwards for New York City that will undermine police accountability.

NYC Council Shouldn’t Take City Backwards by Undermining Police Reform

12/17/2017
Huffington Post

Last week, New York City government took a step forward and also a step backwards on police accountability. The half of the Right to Know Act sponsored by Council Member Antonio Reynoso (Intro 541-C) remains in an effective form that will help protect New Yorkers from unconstitutional searches. It is a testament to his strong leadership and skilled legislative negotiating, and should be passed by the City Council.

‘Right to Know’ bill loses support of key groups, including Legal Aid Society

The 'Right to Know Act' is losing support for one of its bills, as critics claim it will ultimately create loopholes that police officers could exploit. (Credit: Charles Eckert)
12/17/2017
amNewYork

City Council legislation meant to force NYPD officers to identify themselves in certain nonemergency encounters — and distribute business cards when there is no arrest or summons — is continuing to lose support from foes of police misconduct.

The groups say the bill ultimately creates loopholes that cops can exploit.

A Backroom Deal Threatens to Weaken Real Police Reform in New York City

12/15/2017
ACLU Blog

On Tuesday, the New York City Council will vote on two police accountability bills. One represents real reform that will protect New Yorkers' privacy rights when police ask to search them without probable cause. The other is faux reform that is the result of a backroom deal between powerful politicians and the New York Police Department.

A Dozen Family Members of New Yorkers Killed by NYPD & Over 60 NYC and National Organizations Urge Withdrawal of or ‘No’ Votes on NYPD-Corrupted Version of Right to Know Act ID Bill (Intro 182-D)

Urge passage of other half of Right to Know Act, Intro 541-C, that is effective and supported by 200+ groups & families of police brutality victims

Communities United for Police Reform Releases Statement on Right to Know Act Bills

In response to Right to Know Act bills being laid to age last night for an impending vote, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Monifa Bandele.

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