CPR Reacts to Cash Reward Program Announced by Police Union

New York – Today, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released the following statement responding to the “dangerous” cash program announced by the Sergeants Benevolent Association.

The statement below can be attributed to Monifa Bandele, MomsRising Senior Vice President and spokesperson for Communities United for Police Reform (CPR).

“This incentive program is not only dangerous but also part of a widespread trend to try to rollback on modest police accountability gains since Trump became president. This is not about public safety. Instead, it is an attempt by police unions to seize on the dangerous and false right-wing narrative that police are under constant attack and use it to discourage the public from exercising their right to film encounters with the police to prevent abuse and hold them accountable, and to discourage elected officials from speaking out in favor of necessary police reforms,” said Monifa Bandele, MomsRising Senior Vice President and spokesperson for Communities United for Police Reform (CPR).

“It is outrageous and shameful that four years after the killing of Eric Garner, the police are trying to use a false and dangerous narrative to try to justify using excessive force and unjustified arrests  - and that some elected officials are helping to promote this. It is not surprising that we are already seeing the NYPD trying to justify the use of a banned chokehold on Tomas Medina last month when responding to a noise complaint. That is unacceptable," she said. 

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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.

Learn more: http://changethenypd.org/
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