Press Releases

For immediate release:
June 22, 2015

CPR Responds to Budget Deal to Add 1,300 to NYPD Headcount

In response to Mayor de Blasio and the City Council announcing a budget agreement to add nearly 1,300 to the NYPD’s headcount, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Monifa Bandele.

“This deal to increase the NYPD headcount seems like politics at its worst, and is not in the best interest of the safety or long-term needs of our communities. It's disappointing and perplexing that the city budget will increase the NYPD headcount when systemic problems with police accountability and culture that allow New Yorkers to be abused and killed have yet to be fixed - and while major needs in our communities are under-resourced.

For immediate release:
June 14, 2015

CPR Responds to Cuomo Announcement on Special Prosecutor

In response to Governor Cuomo announcing that he will issue an executive order to authorize the appointment of a special prosecutor for one year, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from Jose Lopez.

“We applaud the tireless advocacy of the families who made this issue of unjust police killings of New Yorkers one that our state could no longer ignore, and credit Governor Cuomo for acknowledging the reality that their stories represent: a deep failure in our criminal justice system.

For immediate release:
June 11, 2015

CPR Statement Re: Death of Kalief Browder and the Lack of an Adequate Response by Public Officials

In response to the death of Kalief Browder and the failure of public officials to fully acknowledge the city's responsibility, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Priscilla Gonzalez.

"We send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Kalief Browder. We can only imagine the immense sadness they are experiencing, as we were devastated to learn of his passing.

For immediate release:
May 21, 2015

CPR Condemns Commissioner Bratton for Criticizing Parents, Deflecting Responsibility and Discouraging New Yorkers from Exercising Legal Rights

In response to comments that NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton made yesterday disparaging parents and New Yorkers who record the police, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Verónica Bayetti Flores.

For immediate release:
May 19, 2015

After Obama Policing Task Force Endorses Right to Know Act, Advocates and Elected Officials Call for NYC Council to Schedule Hearing and Pass Legislation

President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing cited provisions of legislation in final report among critical recommendations to improve policing released during Obama Camden visit

A day after the President Obama-appointed Task Force on 21st Century Policing released its final report, which endorsed policies advanced by the pending Right to Know Act in the New York City Council, advocates and elected officials called for New York to demonstration national leadership by scheduling a hearing and passing the legislation.

For immediate release:
May 18, 2015

Communities United for Police Reform Responds to President Obama’s Policing Task Force’s Final Report

Call for action on recommendations mirroring proposals pending before New York State and New York City

In response to President Obama announcing the release of the final report by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Joo-Hyun Kang.

For immediate release:
April 30, 2015

Police Reform Campaign Responds to Mayor de Blasio’s Comments on Last Night’s Freddie Gray Protests

In response to Mayor de Blasio’s comments on last night’s protests in New York City, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Priscilla Gonzalez.

“It’s unacceptable that Mayor de Blasio refused to take responsibility for the systemic lack of respect that the NYPD showed for the rights of peaceful protesters last night by being the ones inciting abuse and violence against New Yorkers. Our communities have been brutalized and killed by police despite following the law for decades, and last night New Yorkers were once again brutalized by the NYPD for simply protesting.

For immediate release:
April 16, 2015

Diverse Alliance of Organizations Urges City Council to Drop Proposal for 1,000 New NYPD Officers

Groups call for fundamental reforms to fix broken police accountability system and culture that promotes discriminatory and abusive policing; In highlighting critical funding needs of communities, appeal presses for more holistic and far-sighted view to public health, safety and investment
A group of nearly sixty groups that represent a diverse number of communities across New York City sent a letter to Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the City Council to oppose their proposal to increase the NYPD headcount, urging that they instead prioritize vital police reforms and community funding needs.
 
The letter states, “Adding 1,000 new positions within the

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