Editorial: A One-Year Test Period for the NYPD

SPANISH VERSION
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order appointing a special prosecutor to oversee controversial cases of deaths at the hands of police. This is the result of overall pressure from civilians against a system that has turned a blind eye to glaring cases of police brutality.

For one year, the state attorney general will watch over the actions of those police officers who think that the uniform places them above others and gives them license to shoot or to overstep their authority.

This will also be a test period for the community and the police to develop a different kind of relationship, so that we can all regain our trust in the NYPD.

This time should also be used to draft a reform of the legal system that provides a permanent space for independent investigations of these types of cases.

Once again, the New York Legislature and the governor are leading a change that has national implications. It comes in the middle of a debate about race and police abuse—one that has already caused too much damage in our community.

We understand that local district attorneys and Commissioner Bratton himself may be wary of the decision to appoint a special state team that will place the NYPD under scrutiny. However, this procedure will prevent the close-knit relationship between police officers and district attorneys’ offices from hampering investigations of civilian deaths.

Like Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said: “There is a crisis of confidence that we must address.”

That is why we are calling for everyone to show integrity and work together, so that investigations can be conducted with transparency and following current protocols.

The families of the victims of police abuse are hoping that the struggle that they have taken to the streets finally yields the expected result: no more impunity