In the Media

Progressives push police reform bill opposed by de Blasio

11/13/2014
Capital
Allies of Mayor Bill de Blasio gathered outside City Hall Thursday afternoon to urge passage of a bill they say is in line with his goal of improving police and community relations but that he has opposed. The bill, dubbed the Right to Know Act, would require officers to get verbal or written consent before searching a person when there is no warrant or probable cause. De blasio told reporters on Wednesday he doesn’t support the bill, saying it may interfere with officers’ ability to perform their job.

Leading police reform group pushing NYPD for major changes

11/12/2014
New York Daily News

The police reform group that helped push the Community Safety Act last year - against the wishes of then-Mayor Bloomberg - is now gearing up for a fight with NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.

Communities United for Police Reform is ramping up pressure on the NYPD to make changes in the department that it says is necessary to end "abusive and discriminatory policing."

The group is holding a press conference at City Hall tomorrow at noon to push for the "Right to Know Act," which would require cops to get permission from a person they are about to search without a warrant.

Bill Requiring Cops To Get Consent For Some Searches Riles Up NYPD

Mayor De Blasio Reserving Judgment On Proposed Legislation Until He Sees Fine Print
11/12/2014
CBS New York

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A new bill to be introduced Thursday in the City Council has angered many in the NYPD.

It calls for officers to get consent before they conduct some searches, CBS2’s Dick Brennan reported Tuesday.

The bill covers cases when police don’t have a warrant, are not making an arrest, or don’t have probable cause.

In those cases, people do have the right to reject a search, but this bill would demand police notify them of that right, and even get proof, perhaps in writing or recorded audio.

NYPD to end low-level marijuana arrests, issue tickets instead

11/11/2014
RT News

The New York Police Department will no longer arrest people simply for possessing small amounts of marijuana, Commissioner Bill Bratton announced Monday. Instead, individuals will be ticketed and fined.

Beginning on November 19, the new policy will apply to people who are found with 25 grams of cannabis or less. As long as they are not smoking the marijuana, intending to sell it, or have an outstanding warrant for their arrest, police officers can simply issue a civil summons, similar to a parking ticket, and move on.

NYC decides pot fines are just the ticket

Mayor and police chief announce major NYC marijuana decriminalization; reform advocates say it's not enough
11/10/2014
Al Jazeera America

The New York Police Department will stop arresting people for possession of small amounts of marijuana and instead issue them civil citations, city officials said Monday, citing both a severe racial disparity in the law’s implementation and the burden of arrests on the criminal justice system as reasons for the change. 

Federal court clears way for stop-and-frisk reforms

11/06/2014
Amsterdam News

New York City can now move forward and implement its reform measures to overhaul the NYPD’s controversial practice of stop-and-frisk after a federal appeals court rejected police unions’ motions last Friday to block the changes. 

The ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan also confirmed Mayor Bill de Blasio administration’s request to drop its appeal of the lawsuit, Floyd vs. City of New York, which found that the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk practice unlawfully targets people of color and violates their civil rights.

White House weighed in on de Blasio pick for NYPD No. 2

11/06/2014
New York Post

Top cop Bill Bratton named a former Obama-administration official as his second-in-command Wednesday — a pick that Mayor de Blasio reluctantly approved to avoid a fight so soon after their public display of ¬affection at Gracie Mansion, sources told The Post.

Hizzoner gave the green light after “a lot of back-and-forth” and a surprise phone call Tuesday from the White House, a source said.

Benjamin Tucker, who had been deputy commissioner of training since returning to the NYPD in January, was sworn in at One Police Plaza on Wednesday afternoon.

Benjamin Tucker named First Deputy Commissioner of NYPD

11/05/2014
Amsterdam News

Deputy Commissioner of Training Benjamin Tucker is named First Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD. Tucker, who has 45 years of experience with the department, takes the position after Police Chief Philip Banks III made waves last week turning down the job.

Tucker began his career with the NYPD in 1969 when he started as a police trainee becoming a uniformed officer in 1972. In 1991 he retired after 22 years and was nominated by President Barack Obama as deputy director in the Office of National Drug Policy Control.

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