For Immediate Release
Contact: Jake Oliver, jake@anatgerstein.com, 347 361 9983
New York, N.Y. (June 28, 2024) – Citizens Union has released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the ProPublica and The New York Times joint report on NYPD disciplinary practices:
“The apparent misuse of existing disciplinary rules, which allowed current NYPD leadership to delay, reject, and ignore accountability for police misconduct outlined in the report published yesterday by ProPublica and The New York Times, proving how deeply reform is needed. The 2012 memo of understanding that empowered the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to prosecute officers – which Citizens Union was involved in establishing – was not intended to give the Police Commissioner a carte blanche to shut down disciplinary cases as they see fit. If that 12-year-old memorandum is now used as a tool to avoid prosecution, the City Council should pass legislation that improves it, removes the Police Commissioner’s broad “retention” discretion, and codifies it into law.
“More can be done to stop the retreat in police accountability we have seen in recent years. As we have recommended before, the CCRB should be given the power to appeal the disciplinary decisions of the Police Commissioner. The Police Commissioner should also be subject to the advice and consent of the City Council to ensure people who are committed to reform hold that important position. It is imperative that we restore public trust in our police force by ensuring transparency, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to justice.
“Citizens Union stands ready to work with the City Council, the CCRB, and other stakeholders to push for these necessary reforms. Our community deserves a police force that operates with integrity and accountability, and we will continue to advocate for policies that ensure this.”
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