September 17, 2020, New York – In response to today’s ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeal panel of judges that temporarily blocks New York City’s publication of NYPD officer disciplinary records, Communities United for Police Reform, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP issued the following statement:
Today’s ruling is very narrow, and very temporary: it blocks publication only during the appeal of the district court order that publication may proceed while the lawsuit is pending. While we are disappointed by the further delay in the publication of these records, today’s ruling is no indication that the underlying order allowing publication was incorrect. We are confident that, on the merits, the appeals court will agree that public access to officer disciplinary records through the City’s plan to publish searchable databases is long overdue.
For more information, visit the Center for Constitutional Rights’ case page.
Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and reduces reliance on policing. CPR runs coalitions of over 200 local, statewide and national organizations, bringing together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers, and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life, and represent many of those most unfairly targeted by the NYPD.
Orrick’s pro bono program has been praised for the dedication of its lawyers to supporting diverse causes with tangible results—including high-profile immigration disputes, civil rights litigation, and grassroots global development through innovative impact finance and social enterprise initiative. Orrick strategically allocates its pro bono resources to ensure that each lawyer’s work has the maximum impact for the client and the community.
The Center for Constitutional Rights works with communities under threat to fight for justice and liberation through litigation, advocacy, and strategic communications. Since 1966, the Center for Constitutional Rights has taken on oppressive systems of power, including structural racism, gender oppression, economic inequity, and governmental overreach. Learn more at ccrjustice.org. Follow the Center for Constitutional Rights on social media: Center for Constitutional Rights on Facebook, @theCCR on Twitter, and ccrjustice on Instagram.
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