CPR Responds to NYPD Killing 66-Year-Old Deborah Danner

In response to the NYPD killing 66-year-old Bronx resident Deborah Danner on Tuesday night, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Monifa Bandele.

“The NYPD’s killing of Deborah Danner by avoidable violence is appalling and should raise serious questions about why police are first responders in apparent incidents of emotional or mental health distress. Our condolences are with the family, friends and community as they mourn their loss. Danner’s killing is yet another tragic example that training and changed rhetoric are no solution to the police violence that is killing and brutalizing Black and Latino people across this nation, of which New York is by no means unblemished, when accountability is absent. It’s troubling that this seems to be at least the seventh death of a New Yorker, traditionally considered “emotionally disturbed” by NYPD, as a result of NYPD use-of-force or in police custody during the de Blasio administration. Some have occurred as a result of the use of Taser, highlighting it is not a ‘safer’ weapon of force. It remains puzzling why the mayor seems to be claiming this is an anomaly, disregarding the lives of other New Yorkers taken in similar circumstances during his tenure.

“While acknowledgement of failure is an important step, whether this administration is serious about changing more than just rhetoric will be measured by whether disciplinary action is swift, meaningful and comprehensive – something absent in far too many cases, like Ramarley Graham who was killed over 4 ½ years ago without any disciplinary action taken yet. Unfortunately, the NYPD's update to its use of force guidelines earlier this year weakened the guidelines in several ways, including removing that ‘Deadly physical force will be used ONLY as a last resort and consistent with Department policy and the law.’ The NYPD under Mayor de Blasio also failed to meaningfully discipline an officer for not following protocol in a similar circumstance related to the killing of Mohamed Bah under the Bloomberg administration, highlighting the importance of police accountability and its absence during this administration.

“The historic and systemic lack of transparency by the NYPD and selective release of information – the assertion that Officer Barry had no disciplinary record when the administration has used state law 50-a to conceal such information – only further erodes trust. The New York State Attorney General’s special prosecutor should take over this case to independently investigate and hold officers accountable to the law.”

BACKGROUND

Ronald Singleton, July 2014: http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/30/justice/new-york-police-death/

David Felix, April 2015: http://www.vice.com/read/how-a-mentally-ill-haitian-immigrant-got-killed-by-new-york-police-625

Denis Reyes, May 2015: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx-man-died-custody-drinking-sources-article-1.2224115

Mario Ocasio, June 2015: http://www.newsweek.com/nypd-police-involved-death-taser-new-york-police-department-382325

Anthony Paul, July 2015: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/family-bronx-man-died-cops-tasered-sues-nyc-article-1.2567220

Richard Gonzalez, March 2016: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/suspected-cocaine-addict-died-police-handcuffs-article-1.2568676

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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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