Issue Position: Standing Up For Police Reforms

Issue Position

Like nearly all Americans, I was horrified by the killing of George Floyd. The nationwide protests, which were made up of all races, ethnicities and ages, expressed the outrage and demanded action.

The Democratic Majority in the Legislature acted quickly.

I supported and co-sponsored a package of common-sense police reforms measures which were long overdue.

This package which became law included measures which:

Repealed Section 50-a of the Civil Rights Law to make police disciplinary records public

Banned chokeholds and similar restraints

Affirmed New Yorkers' right to film the police

Required body cameras for State troopers

Required police reports after a weapon discharge

Made it illegal to call 911 when the person did not believe a crime occurred and the call is motivated by bias

Established an Office of Special Investigation within the Attorney General's Office to review wrongful death cases involving police officers

Required police to provided medical assistance to a person held in custody

These historic reforms are only a start, but will go a long way to begin to correct systemic problems in law enforcement

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