In the Media

Right To Know Act Takes Effect: What NYers Should Expect

Two landmark police-reform bills aiming to protect New Yorkers in their interactions with cops officially take effect Friday.
10/19/2018
Patch

NEW YORK — New York City cops have to give business cards to people they stop and ask for permission to perform certain searches starting Friday as two landmark police-reform laws take effect. The City Council passed the contentious pair of bills, known as the Right to Know Act, last December in an effort to protect New Yorkers' rights and improve police accountability.

Police reform advocates pledge to be vigilant as Right to Know Act takes effect

NYPD officers in certain encounters must identify themselves and inform the public they can deny a search when there isn't probable cause.
Police reform advocates and City Council members rallied at City Hall to call on the NYPD to comply with the Right to Know Act, which will go into effect on Friday. Photo Credit: Kayla Simas/Kayla Simas
10/18/2018
AM New York

Public officials and police reform advocates pledged to hold the NYPD accountable for their encounters with the public as new legislation goes into effect Friday.

Holding signs and banners reading "I do not consent to this search," activists rallied on the steps of City Hall to celebrate the implementation of the Right to Know Act. The legislation has two components: a requirement for officers (in certain instances) to identify themselves when approaching the public, and a mandate to inform a person of their right to refuse to consent to a search when the officer doesn't have probable cause. 

Entra en vigor ley que obliga a policías identificarse al detener a alguien

Las nuevas leyes de Derecho a Saber, que se hacen efectivas este viernes, pretende proteger a ciudadanos durante encuentros con el NYPD, especialmente hispanos y negros
Concejal Antonio Reynoso durante una rueda de prensa en el City Hall, previo al inicio de la Ley de Derecho a Saber.
10/18/2018
El Diario NY

Ni el paso de los años, 24 para ser más precisos, han podido borrar el dolor que sintió Iris Baez el día que encontró muerto a su hijo Anthony. El joven fue sometido a una llave de estrangulamientopor el oficial del Departamento de Policía de Nueva York (NYPD) Francis Livoti el 22 de diciembre de 1994.

Police reform advocates fear de Blasio administration and NYPD are 'obstructing' law requiring consent to some searches

10/17/2018
New York Daily News

New laws requiring NYPD officers to identify themselves and receive consent before conducting some searches are set to go into effect Friday — and police reform advocates are worried the de Blasio administration is already trying to wriggle out of the rules.

Police Reform Is Coming to New York City, but Will the NYPD Follow the Law?

10/16/2018
ACLU Blog

In December 2017, the New York City Council passed two police reform measures, collectively known as the Right to Know Act, which aimed to improve communication and transparency during police stops and searches. On Friday, both bills will take full effect, and the New York Police Department will be tasked with implementing the council’s mandate to become more transparent and accountable. But there are good reasons to be skeptical that the NYPD will implement the law faithfully. 

Gwen Carr: "Four Years Ago The NYPD Killed My Son. I’m Still Waiting For Justice."

At any point, Mayor Bill de Blasio could have held the police accountable for my son’s death. He’s chosen not to.
10/12/2018
BuzzFeed

Four years ago the NYPD killed my son, Eric Garner. We demand justice.

Right before they came for him, Eric had broken up a fight. But the NYPD lied about that from the very beginning, telling the press he was being arrested for selling loose cigarettes — all to somehow justify their violence that led to his death.

Judge orders city to turn over internal NYPD records in Ramarley Graham case

08/08/2018
New York Daily News

A Manhattan judge has ordered the NYPD to turn over internal documents surrounding the 2012 police shooting of 17-year-old Ramarley Graham, a ruling that could have implications that transcend this particular case.

Police officer Richard Haste shot Graham after bursting into his apartment thinking the teen was armed. No gun was found. Haste quit after his departmental trial on misconduct charges in 2017.

Judge Orders NYPD to Release Records Related to Fatal 2012 Bronx Shooting

A Manhattan judge has ordered the New York City Police Department to release a trove of documents from the case of Ramarley Graham, who was shot and killed in 2012 by an officer who has since left the department.
08/08/2018
New York Law Journal

A Manhattan judge has ordered the New York City Police Department to release a trove of documents from the case of Ramarley Graham, who was shot and killed in 2012 by an officer who has since left the department.

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