New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea and Civilian Complaint Review Board chief Frederick Davey agreed at a meeting that took place in Lower Manhattan at Trinity Church’s St. Paul’s Chapel. The Memorandum of Understanding signed at this meeting is important in light of the ongoing discussions on the relationship between police officers and the public.
Recently, the so-called “disciplinary matrix” was adopted – a 57-page document that lists possible penalties for various violations by law enforcement officers. For example, the use of the now banned stranglehold can lead to dismissal from the ranks of the NYPD, and for unjustified detention and search, you can lose several days of paid leave. Commissioner Shi called the “disciplinary matrix” a model that other police departments in the country can follow. He pledged to win the confidence of New Yorkers, undermined by some events in the recent past.
“The role of the arbiter will remain with me,” he stressed. “But I understand and welcome discussions with citizens and their representatives.”
The Civilian Complaint Review Board is seeking more active participation in cases involving the punishment of guilty police officers, in particular, for the unjustified use of force, abuse of power, and rough treatment of people. In some ways, the Council’s rights have already been expanded. For example, this is the first time this agency will have access to data from the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau.
The new disciplinary code for the police took effect on 1 February. In a year it can be revised.
Newspaper headline:
Under the new charter