NYC Police Reform Campaign Responds to Mayor de Blasio’s “Core Principles” of State Legislation on Police Transparency

New York, NY

In response to Mayor de Blasio’s press release on “core principles of legislation” related to police discipline and misconduct, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Monifa Bandele.

"This de Blasio administration press release is not substantive reform or a genuine commitment to full transparency – it fails to address the fundamental fact that this administration is responsible for creating new problems of reduced transparency, not the state law. It has taken a more conservative approach to 50-a than any prior administration, and proactively taken steps within that conservative frame to conceal information despite being under no legal threat. With this announcement, they have created the appearance of identifying a solution to a problem that they partially created. None of this addresses the fact that they continue to fight a state court ruling that denied the application of 50-a in justifying their continued concealment of Officer Pantaleo’s substantiated CCRB complaints summary. These ‘core principles’ would not resolve or prevent this or future administration’s from continuing to make discretionary decisions to conceal information in a range of circumstances, particularly as it relates to New Yorkers and families impacted by police violence like those of Ramarley Graham and Eric Garner. While we and many who have long worked on this issue believe state law needs to be changed, there is also strong agreement – backed by law and history – that this administration has misused 50-a to shroud information from the public. It’s time to stop trying to mislead communities and fulfill the pledges of transparency that were promised to New Yorkers.”

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About Communities United for Police Reform: Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment. CPR brings together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.