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Current Developments__________________________________
- Bronx Commander in the NYPD Housing Police Service has been accused of ordering his officers to satisfy arrest quotas. NYPD Captain Allegedly Caught in Arrest Quota Fixing, New York Daily News (NYC), November 14, 2007
- Allegations of excessive force and questions over use of Taser raised by witness to arrest made by AlbanyCounty police. Stun Gun Use Raises Issue of Force, Albany Times Union (AlbanyCounty), December 29, 2005
- New York City has reached a settlement over a claim that an off-duty police officer beat a civilian standing in line at the DMV. 300G Payout for Kin of Man Beaten by Cop, New York Daily News (NYC), October 21, 2005
- State held responsible for injuries suffered by man falsely arrested in 1988 by state police. 17 Years After Arrest, State Found Liable for Beating by Police , New York Law Journal (NY), September 26, 2005
- NassauCounty police officer faces perjury charges concerning testimony given to grand jury in weapons possession case that was dismissed. Gun Case Dropped as Cop Faces Perjury Charge , Newsday (NassauCounty), September 17, 2005
- Schenectady City Council reached a settlement with man arrested for harassment and resisting arrest without probable cause. City Settles Unlawful Arrest Lawsuit, Albany Times Union (Schenectady), September 13, 2005
- Federal lawsuit filed against City of Schenectady alleges police brutality. Man Involved in Chase Sues, Alleges Beating , Albany Times Union (Schenectady), September 9, 2005
- Recent taser-related death of man in police custody in Queens evoked concerns raised in other taser cases nationwide. Taser Gun Death Is Part of National Pattern, New York Times (NYC), July 29, 2005
- Annual report of the Civilian Complaint Review Board showed a sharp rise in allegations of NYPD misconduct in 2004. New York Police Watchdog Details Beating in Report on Rise in Complaints, Newsday (NYC), June 2, 2005
- US Justice Department auditing Albany County Police Department's accounts of seized asset funds. Police Use of Funds Probed, Albany Times Union (AlbanyCounty), August 24, 2004
- New York Civil Liberties Union entitled to access Schenectady records on use of force by police according to the New York Court of Appeals. Police Records Ordered Released , Albany Times Union (NY), June 30, 2004. Read the court's decision In the Matter of New York Civil Liberties Union v. City of Schenectady, No. 95 (NY June 29, 2004)
- Albany Police Department's use of seized assets from criminal investigations subject of audit. Police Defend Use of Money, Albany Times Union (AlbanyCounty), April 4, 2004
- False statements made by FBI agent on search warrant application required evidence to be suppressed according to aNew York federal judge. Judge Bars Search Evidence, Says FBI Lied for Warrant , New York Times (EDNY), February 26, 2004
- New York City reached settlement with parents of Amadou Diallo over wrongful death in police shooting. City to Pay Diallo's Parents $3 Million to Settle Claims From Shooting Death, New York Law Journal (NYC), January 7, 2004
- Lawsuit filed against a state trooper who allegedly killed a woman during a drug investigation in Brooklyn. $44 Million Dollar Suit Hits Trooper in Drug Slay, New York Post (Brooklyn), November 12, 2003
- Two federal lawsuits have been filed against NYPD for harm resulting from their use of no-knock search warrants. Two Suits Filed Over Police No-Knock Raids at Wrong Homes, New York Times (NYC), September 11, 2003
- Teenager's allegations that he was compelled by state troopers to identify a marijuana grower were insufficient to establish a constitutional tort claim according to the New York Court of Claims. No Constitutional Tort Claim for Teen Who Led State Troopers to Marijuana, New York Law Journal (NY Ct Cl), August 4, 2003
- Settlement reached in litigation over alleged violation of Drivers Privacy Protection Act, involving the release of a driver's personal information by law enforcement. Privacy Suit Pact Reached Over Police Use of Records, New York Law Journal (NDNY), July 25, 2003
- Orange County Deputy Sheriff suspended after being accused of making statement about shredding evidence. Deputy's Shredding Remark Caught on Tape, Order Says, Times Herald-Record (OrangeCounty), July 2, 2003
- African-Americans made up 50% of those stopped and searched by NYPD based on data from the New York City Council's Public Safety Committee. Blacks Are Searched by Police at a Higher Rate, Data Show , New York Times (NYC), June 18, 2003
- Arrests of two Rochester police officers on drug-related charges have impacted the prosecution of cases in which they were involved. Cops' Arrests Affecting Cases, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (MonroeCounty), June 4, 2003
- Increase in complaints against NYPD in early 2003 according to Civilian Complaint Review Board. Police Abuse Cases Rising, Complaint Review Board Says, New York Times (NYC), June 3, 2003
- Woman died as a result of stress caused by mistaken NYPD raid on her apartment. Woman's Death After Raid Is Officially Ruled Homicide , New York Times (NYC), May 28, 2003 and Family of Dead Woman Wants $500 Million, Newsday (NYC), May 22, 2003
- Civil rights suit claims that false arrests were made in connection with murder investigation by Suffolk County Police. Civil Suit Filed by 5 in Arrests, Newsday (SuffolkCounty), May 12, 2003
- NYPD promised to stop practice of debriefing protesters under arrest about political activities and agreed to destroy its database of responses. Police Stop Collecting Data on Protesters' Politics , New York Times (NYC), April 10, 2003
- FBI agent's misrepresentations in search warrant required suppression according to a New York federal judge. Suppression Ruling Affects Multiple Pornography Cases , New York Law Journal (SDNY), March 6, 2003
- Three senior Buffalo detectives have been arrested on federal corruption charges. Buffalo Cops Charged With Corruption, Buffalo News (ErieCounty), January 31, 2003
- Terms of settlement in City of Kingston police brutality case not violated when victim spoke to press according to a New York federal court. Judge Restores Full Settlement in Police Brutality Suit , Daily Freeman (UlsterCounty), January 29, 2003
- Civilian Complaint Review Board empowered to prosecute police misconduct cases according the Appellate Division First Department. Panel Partially Affirms Police Complaint Rules, New York Law Journal (1st Dept), January 7, 2003. Read the court's decision in Lynch v. Giuliani , 2003 NYSlipOp 10051 (1st Dept January 7, 2003)
Current Developments Outside New York__________________
- Drug Agents Mishandled Seized Cash, Audit Finds , Examiner (US), January 6, 2007
- Trooper Crossed Line With Lie, Court Rules, Courier-Journal (KY), October 20, 2006
- Judge Says Police Torture Report Should Be Released, ABC 7 Chicago (IL), May 19, 2006
- Police Interrogation Lawsuit Settled, Argus Leader (SD), May 13, 2006
- Study Raises Concerns Over Tasers' Safety, ArizonaRepublic (US), February 13, 2006
- Police Step Up Frisking Tactic , Baltimore Sun (MD), November 13, 2005
- Law Enforcement Group Issues Taser Guide, Associated Press (US), October 19, 2005
- Ex-Trooper Gets Probation for Violating Teen's Rights , Clarion-Ledger (MS), September 23, 2005
- Convict Can Sue LAPD, Court Rules, Los Angeles Times (CA), August 17, 2005
- Federal Agent Charged in Case Where Colleagues Made Up Story, SFGate (CA), November 30, 2004
- Rights Group Calls for Taser Suspension, New York Times (US), November 30, 2004
- 11th Circuit OKs Hog-Tying of Criminal Suspect, FultonCountyDaily Report (11th Cir), August 3, 2004
- Taser Guns Linked to Five Deaths, Associated Press (AZ), July 18, 2004
- Sweeping Stun Guns to Target Crowds, New Scientist (US), June 16, 2004
- Senator Says Report on Misconduct by FBI Agents Is List of Horrors, New York Times (US), February 18, 2004
- Jury Must Be Quizzed on Police Bias During Voir Dire, Legal Intelligencer (3rd Cir), December 23, 2003
- Ex-Cops Receive Prison Terms, Miami Herald (FL), October 30, 2003
- Leaking LAPD Documents Leads to Jail Time: A Consultant's Violation of a Court Order Stirs a Debate Over Sealed Data, National Law Journal (CA), May 15, 2003
- Judge in Miami Cops Case Opens Door to Civil Suits, Miami Daily Business Review (FL), April 11, 2003
- ADA Applies in Context of Police Arrest, Legal Intelligencer (PA), February 26, 2003
- Denver's Secret Files on Citizens Arouse Outrage, Chicago Tribune (CO), January 27, 2003
Special Reports_______________________________________
ABNER LOUIMA
The precinct house assault by New York City police on Abner Louima continues to reverberate. While Louima's police brutality lawsuit against New York City and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association reached a settlement, and those involved convicted, new developments continue to emerge.
Decisions
- United States v. Schwarz, No. 00-1479 (2nd Cir. February 28, 2002)
Articles
- Silence Pact in Louima Case Rare, Hard to Enforce, New York Law Journal, September 24, 2002
- Louima Cop Pleads Guilty, To Get Jail Time , Newsday, September 22, 2002
- Second Circuit Questions Another Louima Conviction, New York Law Journal, April 3, 2002
- Difficult Choice Faces Attorney for Schwarz on Louima Retrial , New York Law Journal, March 26, 2002
- Schwarz Faces Perjury Charges in Louima Case, New York Law Journal, March 25, 2002
- Attorney's Conflict Upsets Conviction in Louima Case, New York Law Journal, March 1, 2002
- Prosecutors First to Raise Conflict Issue in Louima Case, New York Law Journal, March 1, 2002
- $8.75 Million Settlement Over Police Brutality, CNN Online, July 13, 2001
- After Lawsuit and 3 Trials, Louima Points to Reforms, New York Times, July 13, 2001
- Compensating Abner Louima, New York Times, March 24, 2001
- Tentative Accord in Louima Lawsuit, New York Times, March 23, 2001
- Louima's Call for Reforms Snares Suit, New York Daily News, December 5, 2000
- Officer Convicted of Lying in Louima Case, CNN Online, June 22, 2000
- Jury Delivers Guilty Verdict, CBS News, March 6, 2000
- The Louima Case Is Not Dead, Village Voice, October 6, 1999
SCHENECTADY POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDER SCRUTINY
Allegations of corruption and misconduct in the Schenectady Police Department have prompted calls for federal intervention and a civil rights lawsuit.
- Federal Report Faults Schenectady Police Policies, Albany Times Union (SchenectadyCounty), April 8, 2003. Read the report, Investigation of the Schenectady Police Department (DOJ 2003)
- 'Relocation Policy' Case Ends With $240,000 Deal , Albany Times Union, September 20, 2002
- Pivotal Police Case Now in Court, Albany Times Union, September 18, 2002
- 2 Suits Against Police Cost Schenectady $15,000 , Albany Times Union, September 5, 2002
- Officer Convicted of Drug-Related Charges Gets 54 Months, Associated Press, May 16, 2002
- Judge Wants Police Probe Records, Albany Times Union, May 1, 2002
- U.S. Justice Department to Investigate Schenectady Police , Newsday, April 16, 2002
- DiSorbo Ruling May Tilt Decision, Albany Times Union, April 15, 2002
- Convicted Schenectady Cop Is at Center of Civil Trial, Albany Times Union, April 9, 2002
- $1.68M Awarded in Cop Incident, Albany Times Union, April 6, 2002
- Jury Awards $1.7 Million to Woman Abused by Officer , New York Law Journal, April 7, 2002
- Jury Rules Against Schenectady Officer, Albany Times Union, March 19, 2002
- Ex-Cops Going to Federal Prison, Albany Times Union, March 7, 2002
- 2 Schenectady Cops Guilty, Face Up to 20 Years, Albany Times Union, January 17, 2002
- Drug Convictions Jeopardized, Gazette, December 13, 2001
- Police Audit Casts Eye on Standards, Albany Times Union, November 22, 2001
- Indicted Officer Talks of Lax Rules, Albany Times Union, November 11, 2001
- Probe Involves Fifth Schenectady Cop, Albany TimesUnion, August 25, 2001
- Cops in Wrong, Judge Rules, Albany Times Union, August 17, 2001
- Office Indicted on Drug Charge, Albany Times Union, August 16, 2001
- D.A. to Review Busts of Bad Cops, Albany Times Union, July 28, 2001
- Seamy Side of War on Drugs, Albany Times Union, July 27, 2001
- Cop Pleads Guilty, Will Aid Probe, Albany Times Union, July 24, 2001
- Police Internal Affairs Unit Grows, Albany Times Union, July 3, 2001
- Witness Tells of Alleged Beating by Cops, Albany Times Union, June 22, 2001
- Man Says Arresting Officers Beat Him, Albany Times Union, June 16, 2001
- Cops: Chief Knew About 'Transports', Albany Times Union, June 6, 2001
- Woman Says Cops Used Her for Sex, Albany Times Union, June 5, 2001
- DA: FBI's Police Probe Impacts Trials, Albany Times Union, May 31, 2001
- Police Complaints Spur Call for Monitor, Albany Times Union, April 25, 2001
- Police Face Justice Review, Albany Times Union, April 27, 2001
- Niskayuna Man's Lawsuit Alleges Police Brutality, Albany Times Union, December 29, 2000
- Cop Admits Federal Crimes, Albany Times Union, September 19, 2000
- Some Wonder Why Grand Jury Probe Did Not Address Police Brutality Issues, Albany Times Union, August 11, 2000
- Indictments from Police Probe Expected, Albany Times Union, August 10, 2000
- Lawsuit Alleges Police Abuses, Albany Times Union, June 1, 2000
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY POLICE
Women in several counties have come forward with stories of abuse and sexual assault by local law enforcement. Lawsuits and internal investigations have begun to shed light on these allegations. Sex and Power vs. Law and Order , New York Times, January 28, 2001 and When a Cop is the Criminal, Newsday, January 31, 2001
New York City
NassauCounty
- Sex Rap Cop Gets Probation, New York Daily News, August 3, 2001
- Nassau Cop Cuts Deal on Sex Rap, New York Post, May 8, 2001
- Officer's Sodomy Charge Dropped, Newsday, February 15, 2001
- Lesser Charges for Nassau Officer Named in Rape Case, New York Times, February 3, 2001
- Officer Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Woman While on Duty, New York Times, January 27, 2001
- Change in DWI Policy Nassau Ban Stops by Unmarked Cars, Newsday, January 26, 2001
- Police Predators, New York Times, January 25, 2001
- After 5 Months, Nassau Pursues Report of Sex Abuse in Police Car, New York Times, January 23, 2001
OrangeCounty
- Investigation of Wallkill Cops Stalls, Times Herald-Record, August 25, 2001
- Decree for Town of Wallkill Police Monitor Gets Final OK from Judge, Times Herald-Record, April 11, 2001
- N.Y. Town Agrees to Restrain Police Force, New York Times, February 22, 2001
- Cop Abuses Show Need for Controls, New York Daily News, February 22, 2001
- Feds in Rogue-Cops Probe, New York Daily News, February 4, 2001
- Wallkill Scandal Suit a First for NY, Times Herald-Record, January 28, 2001
- Spitzer Sues Wallkill Police Department, New York Law Journal, January 19, 2001
- Wallkill Cops Face Spitzer's Scrutiny, Times Herald-Record, January 19, 2001
- People (Attorney General) v. Town of Wallkill (SDNY January 18, 2001) (complaint)
SuffolkCounty
- Ex-Suffolk Officer Gets 5 Years for Abuse of 4 Women , New York Times (SuffolkCounty), October 11, 2003
- Suffolk Officers Acquitted on Beating Charges, Newsday (SuffolkCounty), May 8, 2003
- Plea Deal for Cop in Long Island Strip Cases, New York Daily News (SuffolkCounty), April 8, 2003
- Suffolk County Officer Is Charged in Abuse of Female Drivers, New York Times, March 29, 2002
- An Inquiry into Claims That Motorists Were Ordered to Undress, New York Times, March 9, 2001
- Another Suffolk Cop Accused, Newsday, February 18, 2001
- Cop Suspended in 2 Strip Cases: Suffolk Says Criminal Charges Possible, Newsday, January 5, 2001
- Undressing as Punishment, ABC News, January 4, 2000
PATRICK DORISMOND
The shooting of an unarmed man during a drug investigation and the later release of his juvenile arrest records by the New York City Police Department has raised questions about the propriety of police procedures.
- Mayor May Face Inquiry in Dorismond Case, New York Times, November 22, 2000
- Dorismond Kin File $300M Suit, New York Daily News, September 14, 2000
- Dorismond Cop: It Wasn't Racial, New York Post, August 30, 2000
- Grand Jury Clears Cop in Dorismond Shooting, MSNBC, July 28, 2000
- Grand Jury Clears Drug Detective Who Killed Unarmed Security Guard, New York Times, July 28, 2000
- Manhattan D.A.'s Big Task on Dorismond Case: Get Indictments, New York Observer, April 10, 2000
- Lawmakers Call for Probe into Giuliani, Police Commissioner, Newsday, April 8, 2000
- Poll: Varying Views on the Police, MSNBC, April 6, 2000
- Experts Rip Rudy Over Dorismond's Record, New York Post, April 1, 2000
- NYPD Has Released Sealed Records Before, Safir Says, Newsday, April 1, 2000
- New York City Drug Program Exacts Price on Brooklyn Neighborhood, Residents Say, New York Times, April 1, 2000
- Release of Victim's Records Defended, Albany Times Union, April 1, 2000
- Cutting Crime, Keeping Our Rights, New York Times, April 1, 2000
Cops Can't Shoot People for Talking Back, Newsday, March 30, 2000
- Clergy Leaves Meeting When Safir Refuses to Apologize for Police Shooting, AP Online, March 30, 2000
- Safir promises change in NYPD, MSNBC, March 29, 2000
Sunday News/NY1 Exclusive Poll, New York Daily News, March 26, 2000
- The Patrick Dorismond Funeral, WNYC, March 25, 2000
Disorderly Conduct, WNYC, March 23, 2000
- Assembly Probe Targets Giuliani, Albany Times Union, March 22, 2000
- Shootings Put Tactics in Question, Albany Times Union, March 21, 2000
- Feds Asked to Oversee NYPD, MSNBC, March 21, 2000
- Silver Blasts Giuliani Actions in Dorismond Death, Assembly Speaker Press Release, March 21, 2000
- File Release Furor Grows City Defends Move, But Experts Call It Illegal, New York Daily News, March 21, 2000
- N.Y. Mayor Defends Records Release, AP Online, March 20, 2000
AMADOU DIALLO
Four New York City Police Officers were tried and acquitted of the death of Amadou Diallo during a police shootout. The trial was moved to Albany by order of the Appellate Division, First Department due to excessive pre-trial publicity. The verdict has reverberated throughout New YorkState and questions about the propriety of police tactics remain.
LAW ENFORCEMENT ENCOUNTERS WITH MENTALLY ILL CITIZENS
Cities across the country are becoming concerned about the ability of the police to deal appropriately with mentally ill people.
- To Deal With Mentally Ill, Cops Act as Social Workers, Christian Science Monitor (AZ), April 8, 2003
- Killing Reformed Cops' Mental Health Response, Albany Times Union, April 14, 2002
- Advocates for Mentally Ill Say Police Training Can Defuse Deadly Standoffs, Houston Chronicle, September 24, 1999.
- Fatal Encounters
- Shirley Ansley ... Police Were Her Worst Fear
- Paul Maxwell ... Armed with a Baseball Bat
- Margaret Mitchell ... a Threat to Officers?
- A Report and Safir Differ on Shooting, New York Times, October 7, 1999
- Witnesses Say Brooklyn Man Killed by Police Posed Little Danger, New York Times, October 4, 1999
- Gidone Busch Killing, New York Times, October 9, 1999 (letters to the editor)
- Some Question Police Guidelines with the Mentally Ill, New York Times, September 1, 1999
Reports______________________________________________
Pittsburgh's Experience With Police Monitoring (Vera Institute of Justice). This site contains research concerning federal monitoring of the Pittsburgh Police Department. Under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, federal authorities are empowered to bring lawsuits against municipalities over pattern and practice civil rights violations by police, eg, excessive force, false arrests, and improper searches. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the first large city where a pattern-and-practice suit had been settled through a consent decree.
Turning Necessity Into Virtue: Pittsburgh¥s Experience With a Federal Consent Decree (Vera Institute of Justice 2002). This report describes the results of the US Justice Department's first effort to sue a city over the "pattern or practice" of policing for violating the US Constitution. The successes of the consent decree entered into with the City of Pittsburgh included increasing police accountability and improved officer training. The experience of implementing the consent decree is examined along with other issues that demand continuous monitoring.
Racial Profiling (PARC 2002). This report by the PoliceAssessmentResourceCenter examines racial discrimination in law enforcement and includes recommendations for change.
Trends in Mortality Due to Legal Intervention in the United States, 1979 Through 1997 , 92 American Journal of Public Health (No. 5) 841 (2002). This report examined the number and rate of deaths due to law enforcement activities. It found that the death rate for African-American males several times higher than for white males.
Principles for Promoting Police Integrity (BJA 2001) "We have sought to identify and develop general principles of police practices that are effective in promoting police integrity. We hope that by sharing what we have learned, we can build on the voluntary efforts being made by police departments around the country to improve their services, and more clearly state what communities can expect of us as law enforcement agencies."
Disciplining Police: Solving the Problem of Police Misconduct (New York City Public Advocate July 2000). Read about the report on the NYPD's inability to effective discipline its officers, Public Advocate Investigation Reveals "Systemic Failure" in Police Discipline System, New York City Public Advocate's Press Release, July 27, 2000 and Another Report Criticizes NYPD, MSNBC, July 27, 2000
The Failure of Civil Damages Claims to Modify Police Practices, and Recommendations for Change (Association of the Bar of the City of New York Committee on New York City Affairs May 2000)
Use of Force by Police: Overview of National and Local Data (Bureau of Justice Statistics 1999) "Research consistently demonstrates that a small percentage of police-public interactions involve use of force. Various data sources, including police use-of-force reports, civilian complaints, victim surveys, and observational methods, confirm this basic finding."
Use of Deadly Force by Police: Overview of National and Local Data[complete text] (National Institute of Justice October 1999) Contents: 1. What We Know about Police Use of Force; 2. Revising and Fielding the Police-Public Contact Survey; 3. IACP National Database Project on Police Use of Force; [PDF] 4. Measuring the Amount of Force Used By and Against the Police in Six Jurisdictions; 5. The Force Factor: Measuring and Assessing Police Use of Force and Suspect Resistance; 6. A Research Agenda on Police Use of Force [PDF]
U.S. Department of State Initial Report of the United States of America to the UN Committee against Torture (State Department, September 1999)
United States of America: California - Update on Police Brutality (Amnesty International September 1999)
Race, Rights & Police Brutality in the United States of America (Amnesty International 1999)
Cruelty in Control? The Stun Belt and Other Electroshock Weapons in Law Enforcement (Amnesty International 1999)
Shielded from Justice: Police Brutality and Accountability in the United States (Human Rights Watch 1998)
Deflecting Blame: The Dissenting Report of Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's Task Force on Police/Community Relations (NYCLU 1998)
Five Years of Civilian Review: A Mandate Unfulfilled July 5, 1993 - July 5, 1998, (NYCLU November 15, 1998)
Police Brutality and Excessive Force in the New York City Police Department (Amnesty International, June 1996)
Research Links________________________________________
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