CPR Statement: Re: Commissioner Ray Kelly being booed off stage at Brown University

“It’s not shocking that after directing policing that violates New Yorkers’ civil rights and the U.S. Constitution without any remorse that Commissioner Kelly would be poorly received – and it’s unfortunate that New York City has become known for political and police leadership that defends discriminatory and abusive policing, and seeks to fight accountability. Commissioner Kelly and Mayor Bloomberg continue to deny responsibility and use fear-mongering to obscure the facts by arguing a zero-sum game of either their brand of ‘proactive’ policing or none, and their extreme abuse of stop-and-frisk or not using it at all.  Kelly's tenure in the Bloomberg administration has consisted of stop-and-frisk abuses fueled by quotas and the discriminatory profiling of New Yorkers based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, or other unjust reasons. It's why a federal court has ruled that his and Mayor Bloomberg's stop-and-frisk program is unconstitutional. Not only has their excessive use of stop-and-frisk violated New Yorkers' rights, but there is no evidence that it has improved safety by reducing gun violence as they often claim – the number of shootings throughout their tenure has remained at nearly the same level in spite of massive increases in unlawful stops. 

“New Yorkers want accountable policing that treats all communities fairly, instead of counterproductive policies and practices – like placing excessive pressures on officers to meet stop-and-frisk quotas – that damage the relationship between communities and the NYPD and jeopardize public safety. That is why the City Council passed laws to provide historic civil rights protections and police oversight and improve safety. The people of New York know that safety for all communities is best achieved through lawful policing that works respectfully with communities to fight crime and prioritizes the NYPD's relationship with all of the city's neighborhoods.”

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.

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