ccrb report on youth and police - cbs new york...• to report relevant issues and policy matters to...

CCRBReportonYouthandPolice June2020

NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board – www.nyc.gov/ccrb Page | 1

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TableofContentsAGENCYMISSION ....................................................................................................................................... 4

LETTERFROMTHECHAIR ........................................................................................................................... 5

THEBOARDANDAGENCYOPERATIONS ........................................................................................................ 6

EXECUTIVESUMMARY ................................................................................................................................ 7

KeyFindings ........................................................................................................................................... 7

CCRBACTIONSTAKENASARESULTOFTHISANALYSIS ................................................................................. 8

RECOMMENDATIONSFORTHENYPD ........................................................................................................... 8

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 10

BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................... 10

METHODOLOGYANDSCOPE....................................................................................................................... 13

DEFINING“YOUTH” .......................................................................................................................... 14

FINDINGS ................................................................................................................................................ 16

SECTION1:YOUTH-RELATEDCOMPLAINTSANDALLEGATIONS ..................................................................... 16

DISPOSITIONSOFYOUTH-RELATEDCOMPLAINTSANDALLEGATIONS ............................................................. 19

SUBSTANTIATEDCASEEXAMPLES ...................................................................................................... 27

PLAINCLOTHESOFFICERSANDYOUTH ................................................................................................ 34

ADULTSFILINGONBEHALFOFYOUTH ................................................................................................ 35

SECTION2:SPEAKUP,SPEAKOUT:AYOUTHSUMMITONPOLICINGINNEWYORKCITY .................................. 38

PanelOne:PolicinginandAroundSchools ................................................................................. 38

PanelTwo:StreetEncountersandStop-and-Frisk ...................................................................... 39

PollingResults .............................................................................................................................. 39

BreakoutSessions ........................................................................................................................ 42

CCRBACTIONSTAKENASARESULTOFTHISANALYSIS ............................................................................... 42

RECOMMENDATIONSFORTHENYPD ......................................................................................................... 44

BACKGROUNDOFTHECCRBANDGLOSSARY ............................................................................................... 45

NEWYORKCITYCHARTER ........................................................................................................................ 47

Chapter18-A,CivilianComplaintReviewBoard ................................................................................. 47

BOARDMEMBERS .................................................................................................................................... 50

MAYORALDESIGNEES ............................................................................................................................... 50


CITYCOUNCILDESIGNEES ......................................................................................................................... 51

POLICECOMMISSIONERDESIGNEES............................................................................................................ 53

EXECUTIVEANDSENIORSTAFF .................................................................................................................. 55

ExecutiveStaff ...................................................................................................................................... 55

SeniorStaff ........................................................................................................................................... 55


AGENCYMISSIONTheNewYorkCityCivilianComplaintReviewBoard(CCRBortheAgency)isanindependentAgencythatisempoweredtoreceive,investigate,prosecute,mediate,hear,makefindings,andrecommendactiononcomplaintsfiledagainstmembersoftheNewYorkCityPoliceDepartment(NYPD)thatallegetheuseofexcessiveorunnecessaryForce,AbuseofAuthority,Discourtesy,ortheuseofOffensiveLanguage(FADO).Itisalsoauthorizedtoinvestigate,hear,makefindings,andrecommendactiononthetruthfulnessofanofficialstatementmadebyasubjectofficerduringthecourseofaCCRBinvestigationintoaFADO.TheBoard’sstaff,composedentirelyofcivilianemployees,conductsinvestigations,mediations,andprosecutionsinanimpartialmanner.

Infulfillmentofitsmission,theBoardpledges:

• Toencouragemembersofthecommunitytofilecomplaintswhentheybelievetheyhavebeenvictimsofpolicemisconduct;

• Torespecttherightsofciviliansandofficers;

• Toencourageallpartiesinvolvedinacomplainttocomeforwardandpresentevidence;

• Toexpeditiouslyinvestigateeachallegationthoroughlyandimpartially;

• Tomakefairandobjectivedeterminationsonthemeritsofeachcase;

• Toofferciviliansandofficerstheopportunitytomediatetheircomplaints,whenappropriate,inordertopromoteunderstandingbetweenofficersandthecommunitiestheyserve;

• Torecommenddisciplinaryactionsthataremeasuredandappropriatewhentheinvestigativefindingssubstantiatethatmisconductoccurred;

• ToengageincommunityoutreachinordertoeducatethepublicabouttheAgencyandrespondtoconcernsrelevanttotheAgency’smandate;

• ToreportrelevantissuesandpolicymatterstothePoliceCommissionerandthepublic;and

• Toadvocateforpolicychangesrelatedtopoliceoversight,transparency,andaccountabilitythatwillstrengthenpublictrustandimprovepolice-communityrelations.


LETTERFROMTHECHAIRDearFellowNewYorkers,

Overthelastyear,theCivilianComplaintReviewBoard(CCRBortheAgency)hasmadeafocusedefforttoincreaseitsoutreacheffortstoyoungNewYorkers.Aspartofthatinitiative,theCCRBlauncheditsfirsteverYouthAdvisoryCouncil(YAC),acommitteemadeupofyoungleaders,aged10-24,whoarecommittedtoaddressingcriminaljusticeissuesandimprovingpolice-communityrelations.ThemembersoftheYACserveasagencyambassadorsintheircommunitiesandmeetquarterlytoadviseCCRBstaffabouttheireffortstoengageyoungNewYorkers.InconjunctionwiththeYAC,NYUMcSilverInstituteforPoverty,Policy,andResearch,andtheNewYorkUniversityLawCenteronRace,InequalityandtheLaw,the

CCRBhosted“SpeakUpSpeakOut:AYouthSummitonPolicinginNewYorkCity”onFebruary26,2019.TheSummitwasanopportunityforyoungpeopletosharetheirexperienceswithpolicing,identifyproblems,andrecommendsolutions.TheCCRBcommittedtowritingthisReportasamemorializationoftheinformationsharedattheSummit,withafocusoncomplaintsinvolvingthemostvulnerableyouth:youngpeoplebetweentheagesof10and18.

AsdetailedinthisReport,CCRBcomplaintsofpolicemisconductinvolvingyouthstemfrompoliceencounterswithyoungboysofcolorwhoareengagingininnocuousactivities,andwhooftendonotreportmisconductwithoutthehelpofanadult.ThedatainthisReportisconcerning,buttimely,consideringtheNewYorkCityPoliceDepartment’s(NYPD)January2020announcementofitsnewyouthinitiative.AstheNYPDcontinuestorolloutthisinitiativetohireandtrainYouthCoordinationOfficersandintegrateSchoolSafetyAgentsintocommandmeetings,itismyhopethatPoliceCommissionerDermotSheawilltaketheYouthReport,theYouthSummitanditsfindingsintoaccount.

ThisReportnotonlydelvesintoCCRBdataandcases,butalsodetailsseriousconcernsandimaginativesolutionsfromtheyouththemselves,manyofwhichIpersonallywitnessedattheYouthSummit.ItismyhopethatthisinformationcanhelptheDepartmentdevelopstrategiesforitsnewyouthinitiativeinordertopreventandaddresspolicemisconducttowardsyoungNewYorkers.Ifweworktogether,wecanmoveclosertoachievingourcommongoalsofimprovingcommunity-policerelationsandkeepingyoungpeoplesafe.

Sincerely,

FredDavie


THEBOARDANDAGENCYOPERATIONSTheCivilianComplaintReviewBoard(CCRB,theAgency,ortheBoard)isanagencyoftheCityofNewYork.ItbecameindependentfromtheNewYorkCityPoliceDepartment(NYPD)andestablishedinitscurrentall-civilianformin1993.Boardmembersreviewandmakefindingsonallmisconductcomplaintsoncetheyhavebeenfullyinvestigated.

DuetoarecentchangeintheNewYorkCityCharter,theBoardnowconsistsof15members,fiveappointedbyCityCouncil(onefromeachborough),fiveappointedbytheMayor,threedesignatedbythePoliceCommissionerandappointedbytheMayor,oneappointedbythePublicAdvocate,andtheChairoftheBoardwhowillbeduallyappointedbytheMayorandCityCouncil.ThePublicAdvocateappointeeandthejointly-appointedBoardChairwillassumetheirofficesbeginninginJuly2020.

UndertheNewYorkCityCharter,theBoardmustreflectthediversityoftheCity’sresidents,andallmembersmustliveinNewYorkCity.NomemberoftheBoardmayhavealawenforcementbackground,exceptthosedesignatedbythePoliceCommissioner,whomusthavehadpriorexperienceaslawenforcementprofessionals.NoBoardmembermaybeapublicemployeeorserveinpublicoffice.Boardmembersservethree-yearterms,whichcanberenewed.Theyreceivecompensationonaper-sessionbasis,althoughsomeBoardmemberschoosetoserveprobono.

From1993to2013,allcasesinwhichtheBoarddeterminedthatanofficercommittedmisconductwerereferredtothePoliceCommissionerwithadisciplinerecommendation.PursuanttoaMemorandumofUnderstandingbetweentheCCRBandtheNYPD(effectiveApril11,2013),ateamofCCRBattorneysfromtheAgency’sAdministrativeProsecutionUnit(APU)handlesmostofthecasesinwhichtheBoardrecommendsthatChargesandSpecificationsbebroughtagainstanofficer.WhentheBoardrecommendsdisciplineotherthanChargesandSpecifications(e.g.Instructions,FormalizedTraining),thecaseisstillreferreddirectlytothePoliceCommissioner.


EXECUTIVESUMMARYTheCCRBisawarethattheNYPDbelievesitisworkinghardtoprotecttheyouthofNewYorkCity.Manyyoungpeople,however,especiallyyoungpeopleofcolor,feeltargetedandmistreatedbymembersoftheNewYorkCityPoliceDepartment(NYPDortheDepartment).Inlightofthatdichotomy—andduetotheuniquevantagepointtheCivilianComplaintReviewBoard(CCRB,theAgency,ortheBoard)hasbothasanagencythatreceivescomplaintsfromthepublicandanagencythathastakenatargetedapproachtofocusonyouth—thisReporthopestoamplifyyouthvoicesandshedlightonthecomplaintstheCCRBhasreceivedinvolvingyoungNewYorkers.

GiventheNYPD’snewinitiativetopreventandaddressyouthcrime,weencouragetheDepartmenttousethisReporttoidentifyareasforimprovementinrollingoutthenewpolicy.1Thisinitiative,announcedonJanuary29,2020,atCommissionerDermotShea’sfirstStateoftheNYPDaddress,includestheestablishmentofaYouthCoordinationOfficer(YCO)programmodeledaftertheNeighborhoodCoordinationOfficerprogram,thecreationofmonthly“YouthStat”meetings,andtheincorporationofSchoolSafetyAgents(SSAs)intocommand-levelstrategymeetings.

TheCCRBcasesexaminedinthisReportdocumentvariousexamplesofnegativeencountersbetweenlawenforcementandyoungpeople,especiallyyoungboysofcolor.TheyhighlightthenecessityfortheNYPDtohaveayouth-focusedpolicingapproachthatminimizesexcessivepolicecontactwithofyoungboysofcolor.Thecasesincludeinstanceswhenyoungteensorpre-teensofcolor2werehandcuffed,arrested,orheldatgunpointwhileparticipatinginage-appropriateactivitiessuchasrunning,playingwithfriends,high-fiving,sittingonastoop,orcarryingabackpack.YoungNewYorkersshouldbeabletoparticipateinsuchactivitieswithoutfearofnegativeencounterswiththepolice.TheNewYorkCityPoliceDepartment(NYPDortheDepartment)hasthepotentialtolimitsuchnegativeencounters.

KeyFindings

1. Ananalysisofthefully-investigatedcomplaintsselectedforthisReportshowedthatalargemajority(83%)ofthecomplaintsofallegedpolicemisconductinvolvingyoungpeopleages10to18werereportedtotheCCRBbyanadult,indicatingthatyouthrarelyreportedpolicemisconducttotheNYPD’sInternalAffairsBureau(IAB)ortheCCRBthemselves.AlthoughawarenessoftheexistenceoftheCCRBbythegeneralpublicisahurdletheAgencyfacesandseekstoaddresswithwidespreadoutreachefforts,lackofawarenessabouttheCCRBispotentiallyanevengreaterobstacleamongstyoungNewYorkers.

2. Overall,complaintsofpolicemisconductinvolvingyouthcomplainants/victims(C/Vs)predominatelyinvolveyoungmalesofcolor(64.8%).ComparedwiththeracialandgenderbreakdownofC/VsinallCCRBcomplaintsfromthesametimeperiod,agreaterpercentageofC/Vsbetweentheagesof10and18areyoungmalesofcolor(64.8%incomplaintsinvolvingyouthcomparedwith42.0%inallcomplaints).Youngpeoplewhoself-identifiedasBlack,madeupoverhalfoftheC/Vsincomplaintsinvolvingyouth(63.9%incomplaintsinvolvingyouthcomparedwith45.6%inallcomplaints),followedbyindividualswho

1PressRelease,NYPD,BuildingonNeighborhoodPolicing,CommissionerSheaOutlinesNewStrategytoPreventandAddressYouthCrime(January29,2020),https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/news/pr0129/building-neighborhood-policing-commissioner-shea-outlines-new-strategy-prevent-address#/0.2ForthepurposesofthisReport,theCCRBdefines“youthofcolor”asyoungpeoplewhoself-identifyasBlack,Hispanic,Asian,orIndian-American.


identifiedasHispanic(25.9%incomplaintsinvolvingyouthcomparedwith23.5%inallcomplaints).YoungmalesmadeupalmostthreequartersofC/Vsincomplaintsinvolvingyouth(72.2%incomplaintsinvolvingyouthcomparedwith60.2%inallcomplaints).

3. Thefully-investigatedcomplaints,particularlythoseinwhichatleastoneallegationofmisconductwassubstantiated,includesituationswhereC/Vsofcolorbetweentheagesof10and18werepolicedforseeminglyinnocuousactivitiessuchaspushingeachotheraround,high-fiving,running,carryingbackpacks,playingwithsticks,andjaywalking.

CCRBACTIONSTAKENASARESULTOFTHISANALYSIS

1. TheAgencylaunchedseveralinitiativestobetterengageyoungNewYorkers:

a. Inwinterof2018,theCCRBlaunchedtheYouthAdvisoryCouncil(YAC),a19-memberworkingcommitteemadeupofyoungleaders,ages10to24,whoarecommittedtocriminaljusticeissuesandimprovingpolice-communityrelations.TheYACmembersserveasAgencyambassadorstotheircommunities,meetquarterlytoadviseCCRBstaffaboutitseffortstoengageyoungNewYorkers,andparticipateinteam-buildingactivities.TheYACwasinstrumentalinplanningandhosting“SpeakUpSpeakOut:AYouthSummitonPolicinginNewYorkCity,”whichisdetailedinthisReport.

b. TheCCRBOutreachandIntergovernmentalAffairsUnitfocuseditsattentiononbuildingrelationshipswithserviceproviders,includingthoseworkingwithyouthgroups.

c. ToincreaseyouthawarenessoftheAgency,theCCRBCommunicationsUnitisworkingtoincreaseanddiversifyitssocialmediapresenceonplatformslikeInstagram,YouTube,andFacebook.

2. Inanefforttoimproveinteractionswiththeciviliansitserves,theCCRBisexaminingthefeasibilityofcreatingtrainingforinvestigatorsonvulnerablepopulations,includingyoungNewYorkers.

3. AreviewofthecasesforthisReportindicatedtheneedforbettertrackingofsituationsinwhichparentswerenotnotifiedthattheirchildrenwerebroughtintotheprecinct,andwhetherthosechildrenwerearrested,questioned,ordetained.ThePolicyUnithasbeguntrackingthisissueandwillreportbacktotheBoardperiodically.

RECOMMENDATIONSFORTHENYPD

GiventhefindingsofthisReport,theCCRBrecommendsthefollowingactions:

1. Tobetterenableoversightagenciestotrackpoliceinteractionswithyouth,theNYPDshouldbreakdownitspublicly-reportedUseofForcedatabycombinedageandrace,andincludethecomplaintdispositionsanddisciplineimposedinSchoolSafetyOfficerComplaintReports.Dataonyouthandpolicingishardtofind,andthusishardtoanalyze.AsthereiscurrentlynoindependentoversightoverSchoolSafetyAgents,IABshouldincludedisciplinaryinformationonagentsfoundtohavecommittedmisconductinthequarterlyFADOreportspublishedpursuanttotheSchoolSafetyAct.


2. Duetotheheightenedriskoflastingtraumaonyouthasavulnerablepopulation,3whenappropriate,theageoftheallegedvictimshouldbeconsideredbyboththeNYPDandtheCCRBintheirDisciplineFrameworksasafactorthatcouldincreasetherecommendedandimposeddisciplineforofficerswhocommitmisconduct.

3. TheNYPDshouldtrainallpoliceofficersonthedifferencesbetweenpolicingadultsandpolicingyouth.Thereiscurrentlyminimaltonoinformationonhowpoliceofficersaretrainedondealingwithyoungpeople.TheCCRBbelievesthatgiventheDepartment’snewyouthinitiative,itisimportantthattheNYPDincreaseitstransparencyabouthowofficers,particularlyYouthCoordinationOfficers,willbetrainedtointeractwithyoungpeople.4

4. TheNYPDshouldtakethefindingsofthisReportintoaccountwhenfinalizingitsnewyouthinitiative.TheDepartmentshouldimplementitsnewprogramequitablyandshouldnotoverpoliceyoungNewYorkersofcolor.

5. TheNYPDshouldadoptCCRB’srecommendedchangestoPatrolGuide215-09tocreateastricterrequirementonofficerstonotifyparentsorguardianswhenayoungpersonisbroughtintothepolicestation.

3SeeStephanieA.Wiley&Finn-AageEsbensen,TheEffectofPoliceContact:DoesOfficialInterventionResultinDevianceAmplification?,62CRIME&DELINQ.3,283–307(2013),https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128713492496.4Mostdepartmentsoffernoyouth-specifictrainingasidefromthebrieflessonsinjuvenilelawtaughtduringtheacademy,accordingtoareportbytheInternationalAssociationofChiefsofPolice(IACP),aprofessionalassociationandresearchgroup.Moreover,theyoftendonothavefundingtoaddmoretraining.NearlyhalfofthedepartmentstoldtheIACPthattheirtrainingbudgetshadbeencutorabolishedentirelyinthepastfiveyears.MeghannCasanovaet.al.,Int’lAssoc.ofChiefsofPolice,LawEnforcement’sLeadershipRoleintheAdvancementofPromisingPracticesinJuvenileJustice:ExecutiveOfficerSurveyFindings(Sept.2013),https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/all/i-j/IACPJJExecutiveOfficerSurveyFindings.pdf.SeealsoSarahChildress,WhySomeOfficersarePolicingKidsDifferently,FRONTLINE,June10,2016,https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/why-some-officers-are-policing-kids-differently/.


INTRODUCTION

InMarchof2018,agroupofBlackandHispanicboysranginginagefrom8to14werewalkinghome.Theyweretalking,laughing,andsomeofthemplayedwithstickspickedupofftheground.Whiletheywerewalkingonthesidewalk,theboyswereapproachedbymultiplepolicecars.Theofficersexitedtheircars,onewithhisgundrawn,andtoldthegrouptogetagainstthewall.Alltheboyscomplied.

Eighttotenpolicecars,and10-16officers,endeduprespondingtothescene.Alltheboyswerefrisked;noweaponswerefound.Byallaccounts,thechildrenwerecompliantandcooperativeduringthestopandnoneofthemhadsticksintheirhandswhentheywerefrisked.TheLieutenantonthesceneanddecidedtohavethe8-year-oldand14-year-oldtakentothestationhouseandprocessedfordisorderlyconductafterhearingfromtheotherofficersthattheyobservedthechildrenrunningwithsticks.AtthedirectionoftheLieutenant,thechildrenweretransportedtothestationhouse,handcuffedandintears.5

DuringtheCivilianComplaintReviewBoard’s(CCRBortheAgency)investigation,twooftheofficerstestifiedthattheywerethefirsttoobserveandstopthegroupofboys.BothofficerscitedaradiorunreportingagroupofHispanicmenintheir20swithamacheteandastickchasingandfightingotherindividualsasabasisforstoppingthegroup.Theofficersgaveinconsistentstatementsaboutwhatthechildrenweredoingbeforetheywerestopped,includingwhetherthechildrenwererunning,carryinganything,onthesidewalkorinthestreet,ormatchedtheclothingdescriptionintheradiorun.Theinvestigationdeterminedthatnoneofthechildrenmatchedthephysicaldescriptionofthemenintheradiorun,thatthechildrencompliedwithofficers’instructions,andthatseveralofthechildren(whodidnothavesticks)werealsostopped.Further,theofficersdidnothavereasonablesuspiciontobelieveanyoftheboyswerearmedwhentheywerefrisked.Finally,theLieutenantlackedtheauthoritytohavethetwoboystransportedtothestationhouseandissuedjuvenilereportsfordisorderlyconductbecausetheydidnotassaultormenaceanyone,noweaponswerefound,andnobystandersatthescenewerealarmed.TheBoardsubstantiatedtheallegationsandrecommendedChargesagainsttheofficersandtheLieutenant.TheseChargesarecurrentlyawaitingtrialbytheAgency’sAdministrativeProsecutionUnit(APU).

TheparentsofbothboysfiledcomplaintswiththeCCRB.Themotherofthe8-year-oldcomplainedthathersonwasnottreatedproperlyandthathisdreamsofbeingapoliceofficerwereover.Themotherofthe14-year-oldnotedthatthepoliceofficersreactedstronglyeventhoughtheboyswereplayingamongstthemselves,andthatthechildrenwerenotallowedtocallhomenordidshereceiveacallfromtheNYPD.

BACKGROUND

Policeinteractionscanbetraumaticandhavelong-lastingnegativeimpactsoncivilians.Thisisespeciallytrueforyoungpeople,particularlywhenpolicemisconductoccurs.AsnotedbytheInternationalAssociationofChiefsofPolice,“youthinteractionspresentauniquesetofchallengesandopportunitiesforlawenforcement.Formanyyouth,theirfirstencounterwithanythingjustice-related—whetherinschool,theirneighborhoods,orsocialservicesettings—isthroughlawenforcement.Thenatureandcircumstancesofthiscontactcanhaveasignificantandlasting

5Attheprecincttheofficersfoundacellphoneandboxcutteronthe14yearoldandacellphoneandloosechangeonthe8yearold.


impressiononayoungperson.”6Youngpeoplehaveaheightedriskoftrauma,7arelesslikelytoknowtheirrights,andaremorelikelytoescalatesituationsduetoimpulsivityandtroubledrelationshipswithauthority.8Youngboysofcolorwhoarestoppedmoreoftenbypolicearealsomorelikelytocommitcrimessix,12,and18monthlater.Thatcorrelationisstrongertheyoungertheboysarewhentheyarestoppedthefirsttime.9

Severalstudieshavedocumentedthestrainedrelationshipbetweenlawenforcementandyouth,specificallyyouthwhoare(1)fromurbanenvironments,(2)fromlowersocio-economicareas,(3)male,and(4)minorities.Thesestudiesdemonstratethatpoliceofficersmayholdunconsciousbiasesagainstminorityyouthandmakeassumptionsaboutyoungpeoplebasedontheirrace,age,dress,andappearance.10

Overthelastfiveyears,approximately24%ofcomplaintswithintheCCRB’sjurisdictionwerecomplaintsinvolvingyoungpeopleages10to24.In2018,theCCRBbeganafocusedefforttobetterserveyoungpeopleinNewYorkthroughtargetedoutreachinschools,holdingayouthsummit,andcreatingaYouthAdvisoryCouncil(YAC)toadvisetheAgencyonitspolicies,protocols,andyouthengagement.

Policeofficersareusuallythefirstlawenforcementofficialsyoungpeopleencounterbecausetheyarethefirsttorespondtocrimeonthestreet,inmalls,inschools,inhomes,andothersettings.11InNewYorkCity,theseencounterswillgenerallyinvolveeitherNYPDofficers(bothuniformedandplainclothes,someofwhomareassignedtoschoolsandsomeassignedtolocalsectors)orSchoolSafetyAgents(SSAs).TheCCRBonlyhasjurisdictionoveruniformedmembersofservice(MOS)oftheNYPD.Assuch,thisReportfocusesexclusivelyoncomplaintsaboutNYPDpoliceofficers.This

6PracticesinModernPolicing:Police-YouthEngagement,Int’lAssoc.ofChiefsofPolice1(Nov.30,2018),https://www.theiacp.org/resources/document/practices-in-modern-policing-police-youth-engagement.7PoliceinteractionscanalsosignificantlyreducetestscoresforAfricanAmericanboys,consistentwiththeirgreaterexposuretopolicing.JoschaLegewie&JeffreyFagan,AggressivePolicingandtheEducationalPerformanceofMinorityYouth,84AM.SOCIOLOGICALREV.2,220(Feb.11,2019).8Dev.Serv.Grp.,Inc.,Off.ofJuv.Just.andDelinq.Prevention,InteractionsbetweenYouthandLawEnforcement(2018),https://www.ojjdp.gov/mpg/litreviews/Interactions-Youth-Law-Enforcement.pdf.SeealsoLisaH.Thurau,RethinkingHowWePoliceYouth:IncorporatingKnowledgeofAdolescenceintoPolicingTeens,29CHILD.LEGALRTSJ.3,30(2009);TomR.Tyler&YuenHuo,RussellSageFdtn.TrustintheLaw:EncouragingPublicCooperationwiththePoliceandCourts(2002);TomR.Tyler,JeffreyFagan,&AmandaGeller,StreetStopsandPoliceLegitimacy:TeachableMomentsinYoungUrbanMen’sLegalSocialization,11J.OFEMPIRICALLEGALSTUD.4,751(2014).9JuanDelToroet.al.,TheCriminogenicandPsychologicalEffectsofPoliceStopsonAdolescentBlackandLatinoBoys,116PROCEEDINGSOFTHENAT’LACAD.OFSCI.17,8261(Apr.2019),https://www.pnas.org/content/116/17/8261.10ElenaT.Broadduset.al.,BuildingConnectionsbetweenOfficersandBaltimoreCityYouth:KeyComponentsofaPolice-YouthTeambuildingProgram,3J.OFJUV.JUST.13,49(2013),https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-3688515171/building-connections-between-officers-and-baltimore.11Dev.Serv.Grp.,Inc.,Off.ofJuv.Just.andDelinq.Prevention,InteractionsbetweenYouthandLawEnforcement(2018),https://www.ojjdp.gov/mpg/litreviews/Interactions-Youth-Law-Enforcement.pdf.SeealsoLisaH.Thurau,RethinkingHowWePoliceYouth:IncorporatingKnowledgeofAdolescenceintoPolicingTeens,29CHILD.LEGALRTSJ.3,30(2009);TomR.Tyler&YuenHuo,RussellSageFdtn.TrustintheLaw:EncouragingPublicCooperationwiththePoliceandCourts,(2002);TomR.Tyler,JeffreyFagan,&AmandaGeller,StreetStopsandPoliceLegitimacy:TeachableMomentsinYoungUrbanMen’sLegalSocialization,11J.OFEMPIRICALLEGALSTUD.4,751(2014).


ReportdoesnotcoverpolicingorpolicemisconductinschoolsbecauseSSAsareconsideredcivilianmembersoftheNYPD,andthusdonotfallundertheCCRB’sjurisdiction.12

OnFebruary26,2019,theCCRB,inconjunctionwiththeNewYorkUniversityMcSilverInstituteforPoverty,Policy,andResearchandtheNewYorkUniversityLawCenteronRace,InequalityandtheLaw,hosted“SpeakUpSpeakOut:AYouthSummitonPolicinginNewYorkCity.”ThisgatheringwasanopportunityforyoungpeoplefromNewYorkCitytosharetheirexperienceswithpolicing,identifyproblemsintheircommunities,andrecommendsolutionstopublicsafetyandpoliceoversightpractitionersandacademics.Thedaywascomprisedoftwoyouth-ledpaneldiscussionsonpolicinginschoolsandstop-and-frisk,anartshow,andtwelvebreakoutsessionsco-ledbyYACmembersandacademics,advocates,andattorneys.Over250youngpeoplefromacrossthecityattended.

“Ourcomplaintsandourremarksarevalid.Wearetheoneshavingthedailyinteractions.Wearetheonesthatareinteractingwiththesystem.Therefore,wearetheonesthatarespeakingoutagainstthesystem.”

- 2019YouthSummitParticipantItisnoteworthythatsomeyoungpeopleperceiveSSAsnodifferentlythantheydouniformedofficers.Youthinmorethanonebreakoutsessionmentionedthattheyoftenfeltdisrespectedandoverlypolicedbytheagentspresentintheirschools.13Onepanelist,MendyMendez,sharedaparticularlypowerfulstoryaboutanegativeinteractionayoungfemalestudenthadwhiletryingtouseaschoolbathroom.AnSSAaccusedthestudentofskippingclass,andescortedthestudenttothebathroom,announcingthatshewouldnotleaveuntilsheheardthestudentusethebathroom.Mr.Mendezusedthestoryofhisclassmatetohighlightthatheandotherstudentsfeelfearnotonlybecauseoftheweaponsofficershave,butbecauseofthenegativeattitudeofficershavetowardsyoungpeople,thelackofrespecttheyhaveforyouth,andtheirperceptionthatyoungpeoplearealwaysuptonogood.Afterhispanel,MendygottheopportunitytohaveaproductiveconversationwithNYPDChiefofCommunityAffairsNildaHofmannanddiscusshisexperienceswiththeSSAsinhisschool.

AttheSummit,Mendysharedthathefelt“thepresenceofpoliceinschoolsistotallyunnecessaryatthelevelitisrightnow.”InJuneof2019,theNYPDandtheDepartmentofEducation(DOE)signed 12ThereisnoindependentcivilianoversightformisconductallegationsagainstSSAs.12ComplaintsofmisconductagainstSSAsaremadeto,andhandledby,NYPD’sInternalAffairsBureau(IAB).NewYorkCityhasaround5,550SSAs,and1.1millionpublicschoolstudents,whichmeansthattherearemoreSSAsperstudentthanmostothercitieshavepoliceofficerspercitizen(e.g.,Houstonhasonepoliceofficerforevery440residentswhereasNewYorkhasoneSSAforapproximatelyevery200students).12Bycomparison,theLosAngelesSchoolPoliceDepartmenthasoneofficerforevery1,500students.12TheNYPDpublisheslegally-mandatedquarterlyreportson“datarelatedtoNYPDactivityinNewYorkCitySchools.”12ThosereportsincludeinformationonrestraintsusedbySSAs,andthetypeofinterventiondisaggregatedbyprecinct,gender,age,andrace.Duringthesix(6)quarterscoveredbythisReport(January1,2018toJune30,2019),theNYPDreported15,279interventionswithchildrenages10-18.12Ofthose,13,511(88%)childrenwereBlackorHispanic,and901(6%)werewhite.12Velcroormetalrestraintswereusedon2,118(14%)ofthechildren;1,947(92%)ofthosechildrenwereBlackorHispanicand102(4%)werewhite.Inthatsametimeperiod,theNYPDreceived276FADO12complaintsagainstSSAs,thevastmajorityofwhich(198)werecomplaintsofimproperuseofForcebyanSSA.Thosecomplaintsalsoincludedone(1)AbuseofAuthoritycomplaint,67Discourtesycomplaints,and10OffensiveLanguagecomplaints.12Althoughthereportnotesthenumberofcasesstillpendingfurtherinvestigation,theNYPDdoesnotreportontheoutcomeofanyofthesecomplaintsorthedisciplineimposedonanySSA.13Section2ofthisReport’sfindingscontainsadditionalanalysisfromtheSummit.


anupdatedMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU),andtheDepartmentamendedthePatrolGuide,todiscouragepoliceofficialsfromsendingstudentsintothecriminaljusticesystemforlow-leveloffenses.14TheMOUlimitstheroleofpoliceinschools,identifiescategoriesofbehaviorinwhichofficersshouldnotmakearrests,createsrestorativejusticeprograms,capsschoolsuspensions,andinvestsinadditionalsupportstaff.InFebruary2019,teensfromacrossthecityparticipatedinrallies,callingfor“morecounselorsthancops”inschools.Mendywasoneofthestudentswhoparticipated,sayinghe’sgladthecityhasdecidedto“prioritizecaringfortheeducationandmentalwellbeingofstudents.”15

“MaybewecanhaveNYPDteachintheschools,comeupwithaclass.Themoneyisnotbeingspentcorrectly.”

- 2019YouthSummitParticipantMETHODOLOGYANDSCOPE

TheCCRBapproachedthisissue-basedReportwiththeobjectivesof1)analyzingandreportingoncomplaintsinvolvingyoungNewYorkers,and2)reportingontheSpeakUp;SpeakOutYouthSummitheldin2019.

ThefirstpartoftheReportfocusesondatafromcomplaintsinvolvingyouth.ToidentifycomplaintsforthisReport,theCCRBsearchedtheAgency’sdatabaseforallcasesreceivedfromJanuary1,2018throughJune30,2019,andclosedasofDecember31,2019,whereatleastoneofthecomplainants,victims,orallegedvictimsinvolvedwasbetweentheagesof10and18atthetimeoftheincident.Thissearchidentifiedatotalof407complaints.Oncefalsepositives,16casesthatwenttomediation,andcasesthatweretruncated17wereremoved,atotalof112fully-investigatedcomplaintsremained,whicharetheexclusivefocusofthisReport.Byconductinganin-depthanalysisofthefullcasefiles,thisReportaimstoprovideadeeperinsightintopoliceinteractionswithyoungpeopleinthecomplaintsthatCCRBinvestigates.

14OnJune20,2019,theNYPDandDOEreleasedanupdatedMOUdictatingthePoliceDepartment’sauthorityoverSSAs.TheMOUlimitstheroleofpoliceinschools,identifiescategoriesofbehaviorinwhichofficersshouldnotmakearrests,createsrestorativejusticeprograms,capsschoolsuspensions,andinvestsinadditionalsupportstaff.MemorandumofUnderstandingAmongDepartmentofEducationoftheCityofNewYork,NewYorkPoliceDepartmentoftheCityofNewYork,andtheCityofNewYorkonthePerformanceofSchoolSecurityFunctionsbytheNewYorkCityPoliceDepartmentfortheBenefitoftheCitySchoolDistrictoftheCityofNewYorkanditsStudentsandStaff(June19,2019),https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cWroXdguo4u00gCTkOFOi8sFkLyPEyNu/view.SeealsoPressRelease,ACLU,LandmarkNewAgreementReachedBetweenNYPDandDOEonPoliceOfficer’sRoleinSchools(June20,2019),https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/landmark-new-agreement-reached-between-nypd-and-doe-police-officers-role-schools.15ZipporahOsei,ChalkbeatNewYork,‘It’sAboutTime’:NewYorkCityStudentsRespondtoNewRulesforSchoolSafetyOfficersandCurbsonHarshDiscipline(June20,2019),availableathttps://ny.chalkbeat.org/2019/6/20/21108373/it-s-about-time-new-york-city-students-respond-to-new-rules-for-school-safety-officers-and-curbs-on.16Afalsepositivereferstoacasewherethebirthdatewasincorrectlyinputbytheinvestigatormakingitappearasthoughayoungpersonwasinvolvedinthecomplaint.17Acomplaintmaycontainoneormoreallegations,andmayormaynotresultinafullinvestigationofthoseallegations.Casesthatarenotfullyinvestigatedareclosedas“truncated,”whichmeansthatthecomplainantwithdrewthecomplaint,thecomplainantwasuncooperativeorunavailable,ortheallegedvictimcouldnotbeidentified.Sometypesofcomplaints,likecomplaintsthataresentfromIABtotheCCRB,aremorelikelytobeclosedastruncatedbecausetheyhavenolistedcomplainant.


AlthoughtheCCRBhasnotseparatelyreportedonissuesregardingcomplaintsinvolvingyouthsincethe2015AnnualReport,theCCRB’s2018APUquarterlyreports18haveincludeddisturbingcasesthathighlightedtheneedforgreatertransparencyintopoliceencounterswithyouthinNewYorkCity.Casesofnotefromthe2018APUreportsinclude:1)acaseretainedbythePoliceCommissionerwithoutdiscipline,19whereofficersarrivedattheendofafightinaschoolcafeteria.TheofficersgrabbedayoungHispanicstudentinacafeteriaandoneoftheofficerspointedaTaseratthecrowdandinthefacesoftwoHispanicstudents;202)acaseretainedbythePoliceCommissionerwithdiscipline,wherean11-year-oldBlackboyand13-year-oldBlackgirlwereplayingbasketballintheparkwhentheywereapproachedbyofficers.Whenthechildrenrantotheirguardian,theofficerspursuedthem.Oneofficerstoppedthechildrenatgunpoint,assertingthattheymatchedthedescriptionina911callof“twoblackmaleswithdarkcomplexions,withtheirhandsintheirpockets”intheparkwithagun;21and3)apleasetasidebythePoliceCommissionerwithdiscipline,22wherea17-year-oldBlackboywasconfrontedbyseveralplainclothesofficerswhileatabakerywithhisfather.Oneoftheofficersexplainedthathestopped,frisked,andsearchedtheboybecausehematchedthedescriptionofaperpetrator.Duringtheinvestigation,however,theCCRBdeterminedthattheradiorunwasforan“Asianmale.”23

TheotherpurposeofthisReportistodocumenttheimmenseamountofinformationtheCCRBreceiveddirectlyfromyoungpeopleattheYouthSummitheldinFebruary2019,andtoamplifythevoicesoftheyoungpeoplepresentattheconference.Throughconversationswithover200youngpeoplefromalloverNewYorkCity,theCCRBgainedvaluableinsightintoissuesfacingtheyouthandtheirperceptionsofhowtheyarepolicedintheircommunities.

DEFINING“YOUTH”

WhiletheAgency’syouthoutreacheffortsfocusonyoungpeopleages10to24,andthedefinitionofyouthvariesacrossagenciesandresearchinstitutions,thisReportfocusesoncomplaintsinvolving10to18-year-olds.Youngpeopleinthatagerangefaceparticularchallenges,includinginteractingwithpoliceinandaroundtheirschools,developmentalcharacteristicssuchasimpulsivity,self-

18AlloftheCCRB’spolicyreportscanbefoundonlineatwww.nyc.gov/ccrbreports.APUreportscanbefoundonlineathttps://www1.nyc.gov/site/ccrb/prosecution/apu-quarterly-reports.page.19PursuanttoProvisiontwooftheApril2,2010MOUbetweentheCCRBandtheNYPD,inlimitedinstanceswherethePoliceCommissionerdeterminesthattheCCRB’sprosecutionofacasewouldbedetrimental,theCommissionerhastheauthoritytoretainthecaseandnotallowtheAPUtoprosecute.MemorandumofUnderstandingbetweentheCivilianComplaintReviewBoard(CCRB)andthePoliceDepartment(NYPD)oftheCityofNewYorkConcerningtheProcessingofSubstantiatedComplaints(April2,2012),https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ccrb/downloads/pdf/about_pdf/apu_mou.pdf.20CCRB,ReportontheAdministrativeProsecutionUnit(“APU”)SecondQuarterof2018:CaseOne,RetainedwithoutDisciplineAPU2Q18(Mar.12,2020),https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ccrb/downloads/pdf/prosecution_pdf/apu_quarterly_reports/20190312_APU_2Q18.pdf.21CCRB,ReportontheAdministrativeProsecutionUnit(“APU”)SecondQuarterof2018:CaseThree,RetainedwithoutDisciplineAPU2Q18(Mar.12,2020),https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ccrb/downloads/pdf/prosecution_pdf/apu_quarterly_reports/20190312_APU_2Q18.pdf.22ThePoliceCommissioner,asthefinalarbiterofdiscipline,canchoosetosetasideapleanegotiatedbytheAPU.23CCRB,ReportontheAdministrativeProsecutionUnit(“APU”)FirstQuarterof2018:CaseEight,PleaSetAside,DisciplineImposed(Mar.12,2019),https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ccrb/downloads/pdf/prosecution_pdf/apu_quarterly_reports/20190312_APU_1Q18.pdf.


centeredness,resistancetoauthority,24andtheirstatusasajuvenileinthecriminaljusticesystem.Althoughsomeagenciesincludepeopleaged18to24intheirdefinitionofyouth,peopleundertheageof18areconsideredjuvenilesinalmostallstates.InAprilof2017,NewYorkStateraisedtheageofcriminalresponsibilityfrom16to18yearsofage,tobephasedinoveratwo-yearperiod.Untilthelawwaspassed,NewYorkwasoneofonlytwostatesinthecountrythatautomaticallyprocessed16and17-year-oldsasadultsinthecriminaljusticesystem,regardlessoftheircrime.25

24LisaH.Thurau,RethinkingHowWePoliceYouth:IncorporatingKnowledgeofAdolescenceintoPolicingTeens,29CHILD.LEGALRTS.J.30(2009).25NewYorkStateRaisetheAgeImplementationTaskForce,RaisingtheAgeofCriminalResponsibility:FirstAnnualReport(Aug.2019),https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYS_RTA_Task_Force_First_Report.pdf.


FINDINGSSECTION1:YOUTH-RELATEDCOMPLAINTSANDALLEGATIONS

ThisReporthighlightscomplaintsreceivedbytheCivilianComplaintReviewBoard(CCRBortheAgency)betweenJanuary1,2018andJune30,2019,andclosedbyDecember31,2019,thatinvolvedatleastonecomplainant,victim,orallegedvictimwhowasbetweentheagesof10and18.Inthattimeperiod,theCCRBreceived407complaintsinvolvingatleastoneyoungperson,andclosed112fully-investigatedcomplaints.26

Overall,complaintsofpolicemisconductinvolvingyouthcomplainant/victims(C/Vs)27predominatelyinvolvedmalesofcolor(64.8%).AsdepictedinFigure1,comparedwiththeracialandgenderbreakdownofC/VsinallCCRBcomplaintsfromthesametimeperiod,agreaterpercentageofC/Vsbetweentheagesof10and18wereyoungmalesofcolor(64.8%comparedwith42%).C/Vswhoself-identifiedasBlackmadeupoverhalfoftheallegedvictimsincomplaintsinvolvingyouth(63.9%comparedwith45.6%),followedbyindividualswhoidentifiedasHispanic(25.9%comparedwith23.5%).2829YoungmalesmadeupalmostthreequartersofC/Vs(72.2%comparedwith60.2%).ThepercentageofyoungC/VswhoidentifyasBlackisparticularlystarkwhencomparedtheNYCpopulation;only24%ofNewYorkersself-identifyasBlackaccordingtothe2017-2019Censusestimates.30

26TheCCRBcollectsalargequantityofdescriptivedataaboutcomplaintstheAgencyinvestigates,mediates,andprosecutes.ThisReportcontainsonlydescriptivedatafindingsthatindicateafindingthatdiffersfromacomparisontoalargerbodyofCCRBdata,e.g.,allcomplaintsreceived/closedinthesametimeframeasthesamplereviewedforthisReport.27ThisincludescomplaintstheCCRBreceivedbetweenJanuary1,2018andJune30,2019andclosedbyDecember31,2019,thatinvolvedatleastonecomplainant,victim,orallegedvictimwhowasbetweentheagesof10and18that.28TheCCRBcollectsself-reporteddemographicdatafromC/Vs.ThedatainthisReportrepresentsonlythosewhochosetorespondtothesequestions.29AsinallCCRB’sreports,demographicdataforcomplainantsandsubjectofficersisprovidedasdescriptivedataonly.Nostatisticalcomparisonshavebeendrawnthatcanindicatestatisticalsignificanceoranyotherpatterns.30Citydemographicinformationisdrawnfromthe2017-2019UnitedStatesCensusestimate.AllracedemographicsareinclusiveofHispanicorigin.Forexample,“Black”includesboth“BlackHispanic”and“BlackNon-Hispanic.”Censusdataisavailableathttp://factfinder.census.gov/.


Figure1:SexandRace/EthnicityofYouthinFully-InvestigatedCases31


Asseenin(Figure2)below,thelargestpercentageofcomplaintsinvolvingyouthreceivedbytheCCRBwerefromBrooklyn(36%)andtheBronx(26%).Inthesametime-period,33%ofallfully-investigatedcomplaintsreceivedwithintheCCRB’sjurisdictionstemmedfromincidentsthatoccurredinBrooklyn,and18%ofcomplaintsstemmedfromincidentsoccurringintheBronx.

Figure2:GeographicDispersionofAllFully-InvestigatedComplaintsInvolvingYouth

31Infourofthecomplaints,theCCRBdidnotcollectanyracedataforanyoftheciviliansinvolvedinthecomplaint.


DISPOSITIONSOFYOUTH-RELATEDCOMPLAINTSANDALLEGATIONS

Attheconclusionofaninvestigation,theCCRB’sInvestigationsDivisionrecommendsadispositionforeachallegationtotheBoard.32AllegationsthatarefullyinvestigatedbytheCCRBgenerallyresultinoneoffiveoutcomes:

• Anallegationissubstantiatediftheallegedconductisfoundtohaveoccurredandbeimproperbasedonapreponderanceoftheevidence.33

• Anallegationisexoneratediftheallegedconductisfoundtohaveoccurredbutwasnotfoundtobeimproperbyapreponderanceoftheevidence.Allegationsmaybeexoneratediftheofficer’sbehaviorwasfoundtobeallowedunderthelawand/orthePatrolGuide.Thisdoesnotmeanthatthecomplainantwasbeinguntruthfulintheiraccountoftheincident,however.ManymembersofthepublicarenotawareoftherangeoflawenforcementactivitiesthatarelegallypermissibleandwithintheboundariesofproperNYPDprotocol.

• Anallegationisunfoundediftheallegedconductisfoundbyapreponderanceoftheevidencenottohaveoccurredasthecomplainantdescribed.

• AnallegationisclosedasofficerunidentifiediftheCCRBwasunabletoidentifytheofficeraccusedofmisconduct.

• Anallegationisunsubstantiatedifthereisnotenoughevidencetodeterminewhetherornotmisconductoccurredbyapreponderanceoftheevidence.

Thedispositionofafully-investigatedcomplaintdependsonthedispositionofthefully-investigatedallegationswithinthecomplaint:

• Acomplaintissubstantiatedifanyallegationwithinthecomplaintissubstantiated.

• Acomplaintisexoneratedifalltheallegationsmadeagainstidentifiedofficersareexonerated.

32ACCRBcomplaintcanberesolvedinvariousways.Thecomplaintmaybefullyinvestigated,mediated,closedaftermediationisattempted,orclosedas“truncated,”whichoccurswhencomplainantsareunwillingtocooperatewithafullinvestigationorbecomeunreachablebeforetheycanbeinterviewed.“Mediationattempted”isadesignationforacaseinwhichboththeofficerandthecivilianagreetomediate,butthecivilianeitherfailstoappeartwiceforascheduledmediationsessionwithoutgoodcause,orfailstorespondtoattemptstoscheduleamediationsession,anddoesnotrequestthatthecasebesentbackforafullinvestigation.Sections2and3oftheCCRB’sAnnualandSemi-AnnualReports,availableatwww.nyc.gov/ccrbreports,furtherdetailtheprocessofinvestigationsanddisciplinaryrecommendationsoftheBoard.33A“preponderanceoftheevidence”standardisanevidentiarystandardusedincivilcases,andiscommonlyinterpretedtomeanthatthefactinquestionwasdeterminedtobemorelikelythannottrue.Seee.g.,Taxi&LimousineCommissionv.Wakefield,OATHIndex1315/18,at4(Feb.18,2018)(quotingPrince,RichardsononEvidence§3-206)("the'burdenofprovingafactbyapreponderanceoftheevidence'means'theexistenceofthefactismorelikelythanitsnon-existence'");Dep'tofCorrectionv.Jones,OATHIndex393/04,at9(May3,2004)(citingForanv.Murphy,73Misc.2d486(Sup.Ct.N.Y.Co.1973))("preponderanceoftheevidencestandardisproperforsection75disciplinaryproceeding").


• Acomplaintisunfoundediftherearenosubstantiatedorunsubstantiatedallegationsandthereisatleastoneunfoundedallegation.

• AcomplaintisclosedasofficerunidentifiediftheCCRBwasunabletoidentifyanyoftheofficersaccusedofmisconduct.

• Acomplaintisunsubstantiatediftherearenosubstantiatedallegationsandthereisatleastoneunsubstantiatedallegation.

Ofthe112fully-investigatedcomplaints,47(42%)ofthecomplaintswereunsubstantiated,32(29%)weresubstantiated,14(13%)wereexonerated,11(10%)wereclosedasunfounded,34in5(4%)ofthecomplaintsnoneoftheofficerscouldbeidentified,andin3(2%)ofthecomplaintstheonlysubstantiatedallegationwasmisconductcommittedagainstanadult.35Notably,thesubstantiationrateforcasesinvolvingyouthishigher(29%comparedtoanaverageof23%)andtheexonerationrateforcasesinvolvingyouthislower(13%comparedto23%).

34DuetothewaythattheCCRBcalculatesunfoundedcomplaints,itissometimesthecasethatcomplaintsclosedasunfoundedalsocontainexoneratedallegations.Inthe11unfoundedcomplaintsmentioned,threeincludedexoneratedallegations,indicatingthattheinteractionbetweentheC/Vandthepoliceofficeroccurred,butnotentirelyasthecomplainantdescribed,resultinginsomeunfoundedallegations.35 Intwoofthesethreesubstantiatedcomplaints,theCCRBwasnotabletofullyinvestigatetheallegationsofmisconducttowardstheyoungpersonbecausetheyoungpersondidnotcooperatewiththeinvestigation.Theyareincludedintherestofthedatabecausetheyoungpersonwaspresentforaportionofthepoliceencounter.


Figure3:DispositionofFully-InvestigatedComplaintsInvolvingYouth


Whenacomplaintisfiled,theclaimsagainsttheofficerareconsideredallegations.Anindividualcomplaintmaycontainmultipleallegationsagainstoneormoreofficers.Astheinvestigationcontinues,differentallegationsmayberevealed.The112fully-investigatedcomplaintsinvolvingyouthconsideredforthisReportcontained751allegations.Ofthose,41%oftheallegationswereunsubstantiated,24%wereexonerated,theofficerwasunidentifiedin14%,11%weresubstantiated,and10%wereunfounded.ThesedispositionbreakdownslargelymirrorwhatisseeninallCCRBclosedcasesinthesametime-period.


Figure4:DispositionsofFully-InvestigatedAllegationsInvolvingYouth


Figure5:OverviewoftheSubstantiatedCasesInvolvingYouth

Thefollowingtableprovidesadetailedoverviewof32complaintsthathadatleastonesubstantiatedallegationagainstapoliceofficerformisconductcommittedagainstayoungpersonorinthepresenceofayoungperson.Inthe32complaints,theCCRBsubstantiated79allegationsagainst42officers.In28ofthecases,therewassometypeofvideoevidence,including17casesthathadbody-worncamera(BWC)footage.Inamajorityofcases,thepoliceinteractionswithyoungpeoplewereofficer-initiatedandoccurredonthestreet.

Borough Who Filed the Complaint Location Allegation Case

Disposition Queens Adult Residential building Physical force Charges

Manhattan Adult Subway station/train Physical force Charges

Bronx Adult Street/highway

Frisk

Charges Gun Drawn

Other

Stop

Manhattan Adult Street/highway Entry of Premises Charges

Manhattan Adult

Street/highway

Gender

Charges Threat of force (verbal or physical)

Word

Bronx Adult Street/highway Frisk

Charges Search (of person)

Brooklyn Adult NYCHA Chokehold

Charges Restricted Breathing

Brooklyn Adult Street/highway Pepper spray Command

Discipline B Physical force

Bronx PD Sgt. NYCHA

Action

Command Discipline B

Gender

Physical force

Word

Manhattan Adult NYCHA Physical force Command

Discipline B Stop

Queens Adult NYCHA Frisk Command

Discipline B Stop

Bronx Adult Police building Word Command Discipline B

Bronx PD Sgt. Street/highway

Frisk Command Discipline B Question

Search (of person)

Brooklyn Adult Street/highway Refusal to provide name/shield number Command

Discipline A Refusal to provide shield number


Borough Who Filed the Complaint Location Allegation Case

Disposition Word

Brooklyn Adult Apartment/house Other Command Discipline A

Manhattan Adult Street/highway

Action Command Discipline A Threat of force (verbal or physical)

Word

Brooklyn Adult Hospital Physical force Command

Discipline A Word

Manhattan Adult NYCHA Threat of force (verbal or physical) Command Discipline A

Brooklyn Youth Apartment/house

Seizure of property Command Discipline A Threat of arrest

Word

Brooklyn Adult Apartment/house Word Formalized Training

Brooklyn Adult Street/highway Frisk Formalized Training

Brooklyn Youth Street/highway

Stop Formalized Training Threat of force (verbal or physical)

Word

Brooklyn Youth Street/highway Threat of arrest Formalized Training

Bronx attorney Street/highway Interference with recording Command Lvl Instructions

Bronx Adult Street/highway Word Command Lvl Instructions

Staten Island Adult Street/highway Word

Command Lvl Instructions

Queens Adult Street/highway Threat of arrest Command

Lvl Instructions Threat of force (verbal or physical)

Queens Adult Residential building Word Command Lvl Instructions

Bronx Adult Street/highway Threat of force (verbal or physical) Command

Lvl Instructions Word

Brooklyn PD by Cpt. Police building Word Command Lvl Instructions

Queens Youth Street/highway Search (of person) Command Lvl Instructions

Brooklyn Adult Street/highway Word Command Lvl Instructions

Thefully-investigatedcases,andparticularlythesubstantiatedcases,includecaseswhereyouthbetweentheagesof10and18werepolicedwhileparticipatinginseeminglyinnocuousactivities


suchasplaying,high-fiving,running,carryingbackpacks,andjaywalking.36Policeencountersfortypicalyouthconductlikethesecan,andhave,leadtopolicemisconduct,evenincircumstanceswhentheinitialcontactwasappropriate.Thedemographicsoftheyoungpeopleinvolvedintheseencountersarealsoworthhighlighting.Inallfully-investigatedcases,18outofthe32substantiatedcasesinvolvedBlackorHispanicyouth,and23ofthe32substantiatedcasesinvolvedyoungboys.37

ThefollowingcasesummariesprovideexamplesofthetypesofactivitiesyouthC/Vswereengagedinwhentheywereapproachedbyofficers.

36BetweenJanuary1,2019andSeptember30,2019,theNYPDissued316summonsesforjaywalking.Ofthese,89.5%wenttoBlacksorHispanics,and44%wenttopeopleaged18-25.Inthefirstthreequartersof2018,161outofthe192individualswhoreceivedaticketandwhoseracewasknownwereBlackorHispanic.SeeMartinSamoylov&GershKuntzman,NYPDTargetsBlacksandLatinosfor‘Jaywalking’Tickets,STREETSBLOGNYC(Jan.8,2020),https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2020/01/08/nypd-targets-blacks-and-latinos-for-jaywalking-tickets/.37Ofthesubstantiatedcases42%oftheyoungpeopleinvolvedself-identifiedasBlack,13%self-identifiedasHispanic,4%identifiedasWhite,6%identifiedasOther,and35%eitherdidnotself-identify,ortheirracewasunknown.


SUBSTANTIATEDCASEEXAMPLES

CaseOne:Handshake/HighFive,Substantiated

Onaspringevening,theVictim,an11-yearoldBlackboy,waswalkingtomeethismotheronthegroundsofaNewYorkCityHousingAuthority(NYCHA)complex.Whilewalking,theVictimencounteredagroupofadultmenwhomherecognizedfromtheneighborhood.AstheVictimgreetedoneofthemenwithaquickhandshake/high-five,plainclothesAnti-Crimeofficersexitedtheirvehicleandapproachedthegroup.Thegroupofadultmendispersed.TheofficerapproachedtheVictimandaskedhisage.TheVictimrepliedthathewas11yearsold.TheofficerthenfriskedtheVictim’supperbodyandwaist.OneofthebystanderstoldtheofficerthatheshouldnotbesearchingtheVictimashewasundertheageof13,butanofficerrepliedthatdrugscanbegiventoyoungerchildren.Theofficersthengotbackintotheirvehicleanddroveaway.InhisstatementtotheCCRB,theofficerfirstclaimedthatheapproachedthegrouptotrytodetermineiftheyweredrinkingalcoholandsmokingmarijuana.However,theofficercouldnotpointtoanyobservationsthatwouldhaveledhimtostoptheVictimonsuspicionofdrinkingalcoholorsmoking.Theofficerthennotedthataccordingtohisstopandfriskreport,theVictimappearedtohavepassed“contraband.”WhenfurtherquestionedbytheCCRB,however,theofficeradmittedtohavingmadenoobservationsthatwouldhaveledtothatsuspicion.TheofficerthenclaimedthathisstopoftheVictimultimatelywasbaseduponhisobservationofabulgeintheVictim’spocket.Abulge,suchastheofficerdescribed,absentanyadditionalfactors,doesnotprovidesufficientgroundsonwhichtoformreasonablesuspicionthatanindividualisarmed.Additionally,thisbulgewasnotmentionedinanyoftheofficers’policedocuments.TheinvestigationdeterminedbyapreponderanceoftheevidencethattheofficerlackedsufficientjustificationtostopandfrisktheVictim.TheBoardsubstantiatedtheabuseofauthorityallegationsandrecommendedCommandDisciplineB.ThePoliceCommissionerreviewedthecaseanddowngradedthediscipline,imposingFormalizedTraining.


CaseTwo:Jaywalking,NYPDrequestedreconsideration

AnofficerandaSergeant,bothplainclothesAnti-Crimeofficers,weredrivinginanunmarkedvehiclewhentheyobservedtheVictim,a16-year-oldHispanicboy,jaywalking.AfterstoppingtheVictim,theofficer,theSergeant,andanotherplainclothesofficer,positionedthemselvesinfrontoftheVictimandaskedifhehadanythingonhimtheofficersshouldknowabout.TheVictimstatedhehadnothingonhisperson.TheofficergrabbedtheVictim’sarmandaskedforhisconsenttocheckhim.TheVictimconsentedandtheofficerfriskedhim.TheofficerfeltanobjectintheVictim’spantlegthattheVictimidentifiedasasmallknife.TheofficerremovedthesmallknifefromtheVictim’spantleg.TheVictimwasnotissuedasummonsorarrested.SixBWCswerereturnedforthisincidentandvideofootagecorroboratedtheVictim’saccount.Inadditiontothevideofootage,theCCRBinvestigatorobtainedrelevantpolicedocumentsandinterviewedtheofficersandotherofficersonscene.Intheirinterviews,neithertheSergeantnortheofficermentionedanysuspiciousactionsorobservationsthatledthemtoconcludethattheVictimwasarmedorathreattotheirsafety,otherthanheseemednervous.WhiletheofficerslegitimatelystoppedtheVictimforjaywalking,theirsubsequentquestionsandrequestsdidnotpertaintojaywalking.TheinvestigationdeterminedbyapreponderanceoftheevidencethattheofficerwrongfullyinvokedherpoliceauthoritybecausetheVictim’sbehaviordidnotamounttofoundedsuspicionofcriminalityallowingtheofficertoquestiontheVictim.TheofficersalsolackedreasonablesuspicionthattheVictimwasarmedandtheydidnotfearfortheirsafety,thereforetheywrongfullyfriskedandsearchedtheVictim.Further,becausehewassurroundedbyofficerswhocontinuedtoaskhimquestionsdespitehimstatingthathewasnotarmed,theVictimwouldnothavefeltfreetoleaveorrefusetocomplywiththeofficers’requestforconsent,especiallygiventhattheofficergrabbedhiswristpriortoasking.TheBoardsubstantiatedtheabuseofauthorityallegationsandrecommendedCommandDisciplineB.TheNYPDrequestedreconsiderationofthepenaltyinthiscaseaskingforareductiontoTraininginsteadofCommandDisciplineB.TheDepartmentacknowledgedthattheofficerhadnobasistofriskorrequesttofrisktheVictimbasedonherobservations,theVictim’sconsentappearedtobeinvoluntary,hesaidwasscaredoftheofficersmultipletimes,andhewasrepeatedlytoldthathewasnotfreetoleave.TakingintoconsiderationthattheofficershadnopriorsubstantiatedCCRBcomplaintsorDepartmentdisciplinaryhistory,however,theDepartmentaskedforthereductioninthepenaltyrecommendation.TheBoardmaintaineditsrecommendationthattheofficerreceiveCommandDisciplineB.Ultimately,thePoliceCommissionerreviewedthecaseanddowngradedthedisciplinetoFormalizedTrainingonthegroundthat“althoughthe[officer]’sactionswereincorrecttheyweremadeingoodfaithandthey[theofficer]wouldbenefitfromTraininginordertobeguidedinfutureactions.”


CaseThree:WalkingwithBackpacks,Substantiated

Victim1,a17-year-oldboy,Victim2,andthreeoftheirmalefriendswerewalkingthroughaNYCHAhousingcomplextalkingandlisteningtomusic.Victim1wascarryingabackpack.Victim2observedamarkedpolicevehicledrivingbehindthemandthegroupsteppedtothesidetoallowthevehicletopass.Whenthevehicledidnotpass,thegroupcontinuedwalking.ALieutenantandanofficerexitedthevehicleandstoppedVictim1andVictim2.InhisCCRBinterview,theLieutenantreportedthathesuspectedVictim1andVictim2ofcriminalpossessionofaweaponbasedonhispriorknowledgeofgangactivityinthehousingcomplex,hisinitialobservationsoftheirage,thefactthattheywerecarryingbookbags“despitethefactthatitwaslongaftertheendoftheschoolday,”andthestatementstheyandtheircompanionsmadewhentheofficersfirstapproached.TheLieutenanttestifiedthathewasinformedbyhisCaptainthattherewasalargegroupofindividualsfromaknowngangwhowerefilmingamusicvideoinaNYCHAhousingcomplex.Membersofthatgangwereknowntoconcealfirearmsinbookbags.TheLieutenantandtheofficerwereonpatrolwhentheofficerobservedVictims1and2andtheirfriendspushingeachotherandrunningbackandforth.TheLieutenantassessedthattheindividualswere“actingkindofsuspicious,”notingthatheassessedtheirbehaviortobeindicativeofeitherfightingorplaying.Healsonotedthefollowingfactors:theywerewalkingtogetherasagroup,theylookedbackattheofficersastheywalkedforward,andtheyweretightlygrippingtheirbookbags.Theofficerdidnotrecognizeanyoneinthegrouporhaveanyindicationthattheyweremembersofagang.TheLieutenantdirectedtheofficertoapproachVictim1andVictim2andinquireiftheyhadanyinformationabouttheindividualsreportedtohavebeenfilmingamusicvideo.TheofficerapproachedVictim1andVictim2andaskedthem,“What’sgoingon?”andiftheyhadanyotherinformation.Partialvideofootageofthisportionoftheincidentwasobtained.ThefirstclipoffootageshowsVictim1,Victim2,andagroupofindividualswalkingalongawalkwayinsideahousingcomplex.Thefootageshowsthegroupstoppingasthepolicevehiclepullsupbehindthembeforecontinuingtowalkforward.TheLieutenantandtheofficerthenexittheirvehicleandwalkbehindtheindividuals,severalofwhomlookbackattheofficers.TheofficerjogsbehindVictim1andVictim2,seizesholdofthem,andpressesthemagainstafence.Basedonthestatementsofcomplainants,victims,andwitnessesaswellasthevideofootage,theinvestigationdeterminedthattheLieutenantandofficer’sobservationsdidnotprovidereasonablesuspiciontostopVictim1andVictim2forpossiblepossessionofaweapon.TheBoardsubstantiatedtheabuseofauthorityallegationsandrecommendedCommandDisciplineB.ThePoliceCommissionerreviewedthecaseanddowngradedthediscipline,imposingCommandDisciplineA.


CaseFour:WalkingHomefromtheDeli,Substantiated

TheVictim,a15-year-oldBlackboy,waswalkingbacktohishomelesssheltercarryingawhitedelibagwithacheeserollandapieceofcakewhenanunmarked,darkbluesedanstoppednexttohim.ADetective,aSergeant,andanofficer,allplainclothesAnti-Crimeofficers,exitedthecarwithoutannouncingtheywerepoliceofficers,andapproachedtheComplainant.Scared,andnotknowingwhothemenwere,theComplainantranintothestreet.TheDetectiveandtheofficerstoppedtheComplainantbyallegedlytakinghimtotheground,causingminorinjuries.AfterplacingtheComplainantinhandcuffs,theDetectivefriskedtheComplainantwhiletheofficersearchedtheComplainant’sbag.Nosummonsorarrestresultedfromthisincident.TheComplainantreturnedtohisshelterandcalled911toreportwhathappenedtohim.AnambulancewasdispatchedtothescenetotaketheComplainanttothehospitaltocleanandbandagehiswounds.Theinvestigationdeterminedbasedonpolicerecords,officerstatements,andvideofootagethattheofficersstoppedtheComplainantbecausehegenerallymatchedthedescriptionofarobberysuspect(approximately20-year-oldBlackorHispanicmalewearingalong-sleevesweater,carryingablackplasticbag,withablackbeanie),andtheComplainantwasinclosetemporalandspatialproximitytothelocationoftherobbery.Asaresult,theinvestigationfoundthattheofficershadreasonablesuspiciontostopandfrisktheComplainant.Itisnotable,however,thatintheBWCfootage,anotherofficeronthescenecouldbeheardtellingtheofficers,“Youknowitdoesn’tfitatallright?Youknowthatright?Itdoesn’tfitatall.Notevenclose.It’snotevenclosetothescript.”Theinvestigationfoundthatalthoughthedescriptiontheofficersreliedonwasincorrect,becausetheyhadnotheardthecorrection,theyhadreasonablesuspiciontostoptheComplainantandwerepermittedtouseareasonableamountofforcetoplacehiminhandcuffs.TheBoardexoneratedtheabuseofauthorityandforceallegations.Inregardtothesearchallegation,however,althoughtheofficerdeniedsearchingtheComplainant’sbag,BWCfootagecapturedhimholdingtheComplainant’splasticbagopenwithonehandandplasticrustlingcouldbeheardinthebackground.BWCfootagealsoshowedtheofficerholdingaUSBcord,whichtheComplainantlaterfoundinsideofhisbag.TheofficerwasnotpermittedtosearchtheComplainant’sbagbecauseatthetimeofthesearch,theComplainantwasnotunderarrestandhadnotprovidedconsentforthesearch.TheBoardsubstantiatedtheabuseofauthorityallegationandrecommendedCommandLevelInstructions.ThePoliceCommissionerhasyettoimposefinaldiscipline.


Thesefourcaseexamples,inadditiontothepreviously-detailedsubstantiatedcomplaintinwhichthechildrenwereplayingwithsticks,demonstrateinstanceswhereyoungboysofcolorwerepolicedforinnocuousactivities.High-fiving,walkingbackfromadeli,jaywalking,playing,andcarryingabackpackareallactivitiesinwhichchildrenregularlyengage.IntheinstancesdescribedinthisReport,however,theyoungpeoplefacedtroublesomeinteractionswiththepolicerangingfrombeingstopped,tobeinghandcuffed,detained,andarrested.Itisimportanttonote,thatinsomeofthesecases,theofficersoftenhadadditionalinformationthatinformedtheirbehavior,ofwhichtheyoungpersonwasunaware.Fromthepointofviewoftheyoungperson,however,theydidnothingthatwouldleadtoaninteractionwiththepolice.Insomeofthesecases,theadditionalinformationofficershad,suchasradiocallsorsuspectdescriptions,playedafactorintheirdecisiontointeractwiththeyoungperson.


Anumberofthesubstantiatedcasesalsoshowthatevenwhentheinitialcontactbythepolicewaslegallyjustifiable,thecontinuedinteractionledtomisconduct.Thefollowingcasesummariesareexamplesofcomplaintsinwhichtheofficerwasjustifiedininitiallyapproachingtheindividual,buttheofficerwentontofrisk,search,oruseforceagainsttheyoungpersoninanunjustifiedmanner.

CaseFive:Marijuanaleadstofrisk&search,Substantiated

TheVictim,a17-yearoldBlackboy,andanotherindividualweresittingonastoopsmokingmarijuanawhentheywerestoppedbyfourplainclothesAnti-Crimeofficers.OneofficerfriskedandsearchedtheVictimwhileanotherofficerfriskedtheotherindividual.Thestop,frisk,andsearchwerecapturedbysurveillancevideo.Noonewasarrestedorsummonsed.

DuringhisCCRBinterview,thefirstofficerdidnotrecallseeinganybulgesontheindividual’spersonorsuspectingeitheroftheindividualsofbeingarmed.TheofficerstatedthathepattedtheVictimdownbecausehesuspectedhimofhavingmarijuana,butwhilefriskingtheVictim,hefeltahardobject.Theofficercouldnotrecalltheshape,size,oranyidentifyingcharacteristicsoftheobject.Thesecondofficeralsodidnotrecallbelievingthattheindividualhadaweapononhisperson;shefriskedhimasaprecautionarymeasurefortheofficers’safety.

Anofficermayconductafriskwhentheyreasonablysuspectthattheindividualisarmedandtheofficer’ssafetyisatrisk.Tojustifyasearch,anofficermusthaveprobablecausetobelievethatthepersonhascommittedacrime.AsneitherofficersuspectedthateithertheVictimortheotherindividualwerearmed,thefriskswerenotlegallyjustified.Additionally,asthefirstofficercouldonlydescribetheobjecthefeltontheVictimashard,anddidnotpointtoanythingthatmayhaveledtohimsuspectthattheVictimhadaweapon,theofficerdidnothaveprobablecausetosearchtheVictim.TheBoardsubstantiatedthefriskandsearchallegationsandrecommendedChargesagainstbothofficers.ThePoliceCommissionerreviewedthecaseanddeterminedthatpursuingChargeswouldbedetrimentaltotheDepartment’sdisciplinaryprocess.Althoughhefoundthattheofficerswerenotjustifiedinconductingthefrisks,thePoliceCommissionerretainedthecaseintheinterestsofjusticebecausetheofficersdidnothavepriordisciplinaryhistory.HedowngradedthedisciplineandimposedCommandDisciplineAandFormalizedTrainingonbothofficers.


CaseSix:Arrestfollowingadisputeleadstodiscourtesy,Substantiated

Officersrespondedtoadisputeinvolvingaknife.Uponarrivingonscene,officersattemptedtoarresttheComplainant,an18-yearoldBlackgirl,whofledthescene.Whenofficersapprehendedher,sheusedherkneetostrikeoneoftheofficersinthechest.TheComplainantwassubsequentlyhandcuffedandthensearched.BWCfootagecapturedtheComplainanttellingtheofficer,“Youdon’thavetomanhandleme.”Inresponse,theofficertoldtheComplainant,“Don’tfuckingkickmebitch,”whileholdingherhanduptotheComplainant’schinandpushingtheComplainant’sheadback.TheComplainantthenusedherheadtostriketheofficerinthebackofherhead.Inresponse,theofficerpunchedtheComplainantinherface.AstheComplainantwasbeingescortedoutofthebuilding,theofficersaid,“Fuckoutofhere.”

TheBoardsubstantiatedanoffensivelanguageallegation,findingthattheofficer’suseoftheword“bitch,”didnotservealawenforcementpurposeandofficersareprohibitedfrommakingdisrespectfulremarksregardinggender.TheBoardalsosubstantiatedadiscourteousactionallegationbecausetheofficermakingphysicalcontactwiththeComplainant’sfaceandpushingherheadbackwasunnecessaryanddiscourteousanddidnotservealawenforcementpurpose.Atthetimeofaction,theComplainantwasnotmovingtowardstheofficerorthreateningtheofficer’ssafety.

TheBoardalsosubstantiatedforceallegation.TheBWCfootageshowedthattheofficerdidnotuseanyde-escalationtechniquestoquellthesituation.Further,whileanofficerisallowedtouseforcewhenitisreasonabletodosobasedonthetotalityofthecircumstances,punchingaComplainantwhoisalreadyrestrainedinhandcuffswasnotreasonablebecauseitdidnotservealawenforcementpurpose.

Forthediscourtesyallegation,theofficer’sinteractionwiththeComplainanthadconcludedoncetheComplainantwasescortedoutoftheareabyseveralofficers.Theofficersaying,“Fuckouthere,”twicedidnotservealawenforcementpurposeandwasnotcoupledwithanylawfulcommands.TheBoardsubstantiatedtheallegationandrecommendedCommandDisciplineB.ThePoliceCommissionerhasyettoimposefinaldiscipline.


PLAINCLOTHESOFFICERSANDYOUTH

Whileplainclothesofficers(MOSwhoworkassignmentsthatdonotrequirethemtobeinuniform,includingthoseworkinginAnticrime,detectivesquads,andundercoverunits)interactwithCCRBC/Vsofallages,membersoftheYACandyouthadvocateshaveexpressedparticularconcernaboutinteractionswithMOSwhoarenotinuniform.SomeyoungpeoplehavereportedtotheCCRBthattheydonotalwaysrespondtoordersfromplainclothesofficersbecausetheyareunawarethattheyaremembersoftheNYPD.InvestigatingallegationsofmisconductagainstplainclothesMOSposesadditionalhurdlesbecauseitcanbefarmoredifficultfortheCCRBtoidentifyofficerswhoareinplainclothes.InthecasestheCCRBanalyzed,44(39%)ofthefully-investigatedyouthcasesinvolvedplainclothesofficers.FouroutofthefiveOfficerUnidentifiedcasesinvolvedofficersinplainclothes.Thefollowingcasehighlightsthedifficultyofidentifyingplainclothesofficers,whichpreventseffectiveoversight.

CaseSeven:Respondingtoareportofafightleadstoexcessiveforceanduseofpeppersprayonacrowd,Substantiated

Alargegroupofstudentsfromalocalhighschoolwerecongregatingafterschooldismissalwhenafightbrokeoutbetweentwounidentifiedyoungwomen.Multiplepoliceofficers,includingamixofuniformedandplainclothesofficers,respondedtothescene.Theofficersattemptedtodispersethecrowdandtwoofficersdischargedpepperspray,hittingtheVictim,a16-year-oldBlackgirl.Aftershewaspeppersprayed,officersgrabbedtheVictim,whostruggledagainsttheofficersastheyforciblyplacedherinhandcuffs.VideofootageobtainedfromFacebookshowedthatoneofficerpunchedtheVictiminthefacewhileshewasbeinghandcuffed.

TheinvestigationfoundthattheuseofpepperspraybythetwoofficersfelloutsidetheguidelinesofthePatrolGuidebecausetheofficerswerenotinvolvedinaphysicalstruggleortryingtogaincomplianceofsomeoneresistingarrest.Additionally,whiletheforceusedbytheofficersinvolvedintheVictim’sarrestwasappropriateinovercomingherresistancetobeinghandcuffed,punchingtheVictiminthefacewasunnecessaryandexcessive.TheBoardsubstantiatedbothforceallegationsandrecommendedCommandDisciplineB.ThePoliceCommissionerreviewedthecaseandimposedCommandDisciplineAontheofficers.


ADULTSFILINGONBEHALFOFYOUTH

AvastmajorityoftheanalyzedCCRBcomplaintsinvolvingyouth(83%)wereinitiallyreportedbyadults.Ofthe32substantiatedcases,28werereportedbyadults,includingsomereportedbyNYPDseniorofficers.Outofthefoursubstantiatedcasesreportedbyyouth,twowerereportedby18-year-olds,onebya17-year-old,andonebya15-year-old.TheCCRBdatashowsthatyoungpeoplearesignificantlylesslikelytoreportpolicemisconduct.Ina2016NationalSurvey,theCATOInstitutefoundthatnearlyhalfofAmericans(46%)believepolicearenot“generallyheldaccountableformisconduct”whenitoccurs:aviewthatwasheldbylargersharesofyoungpeople,BlackandHispanicAmericans,lowerincomeindividuals,andDemocrats.38FromconversationsattheYouthSummitandwiththeYAC,welearnedthatyoungpeoplemayfeargettingintroubleiftheyreportmisconduct.Theymaybeafraidtoadmittoadultsthattheyhadaninteractionwiththe 38EmilyEkins,CATOInst.,PolicinginAmerica:UnderstandingPublicAttitudesTowardthePolice.ResultsfromaNationalSurveyat41(Dec.2016),https://www.cato.org/survey-reports/policing-america.

UnidentifiedPlainclothesOfficers

TheComplainant,a15-year-oldBlackboy,leftabirthdaypartyatmidnight.Ashewaswalkingtowardsthesubway,hepassedanaltercationinvolvingacrowdofeightattendeesfromtheparty.Afterabouttwoblocks,theComplainantheardyellingbehindhimandnoticedanunidentifieduniformedwhitemaleofficer,UnidentifiedOfficer1,chasinghim.UnidentifiedOfficer1allegedlygrabbedholdoftheComplainant’sarm,buttheComplainantbackedawayfromtheofficerandranbecausehewasscared.UnidentifiedOfficer1enteredanunmarkedvehicleandallegedlypursuedtheComplainant.Afterabouttwoblocks,theComplainantwasallegedlystruckbyadifferentblack,unmarkedvehiclecontainingfourwhiteplainclothesofficers.Afterallegedlybeinghitbythecar,theComplainantwaspursuedonfootbytwooftheunidentifiedplainclothesofficers,UnidentifiedOfficers2and3.UnidentifiedOfficer2allegedlyconductedaforcibletakedownofComplainantandpressedhiskneeagainsttheComplainant’sbody,restrictinghisbreathing.WhiletheComplainantwasontheground,UnidentifiedOfficersallegedlypunched,kicked,andusedprofanitytowardshim.Videofootagewasnotobtainedforthiscase.TheComplainantwasnotarrestedorissuedanysummonsesasaresultofthisincident.TheComplainant’sonlyrecollectionofthesubjectofficerswasthattheywerewhitemales.Usingpolicedocuments,theinvestigationidentifiedpotentialsubjectofficersfromthreedifferentprecincts.EightofficerswhowererespondingtoashotsfiredjobwereinterviewedbytheCCRBinregardtothisincident.Allofficersinterviewedacknowledgedfamiliaritywithvariousaspectsofthisincident,includingthepartyleadingtoacrowdbeingoutdoors,theofficerrequestforassistanceviaradio,andtheofficerinteractionswiththeComplainant.FourofficersacknowledgeddirectlyinteractingwiththeComplainantorseeinganofficerdoso,butdeniedusingphysicalforceagainsttheComplainant,orusingavehicletomakecontactwiththeComplainant.Ofthesefourofficers,twostatedthattheysawplainclothesofficers,whoseidentitiesandcommandstheywereunfamiliarwith,strugglingtohandcufftheComplainant.Duetotheinabilitytoidentifypotentialsubjectofficersorattributeanyallegationtoaspecificofficerorofficers,theBoardclosedtheallegationasofficer(s)unidentified.


police,orblamethemselvesforanyinteractionswiththepolice.posesalargehurdleforpoliceoversight.UnderstandingthatthefailuretoreportcouldalsobeduetolackofknowledgeoftheCCRBasaresourcebyyoungpeople,theAgency’sOutreachteamremainsfocusedonreachingyoungNewYorkersintheircommunities,includinglessconventionalspaceslikebarbershopsandbasketballcourts.

Basedontheabove,thehighpercentageofcomplaintsinvolvingyouthbeingmadebyadultscouldsuggestthatifthereisnoadultaround,oriftheyoungpersonistooafraidtotellanadultabouttheincident,complaintsofpolicemisconductmaygounreported.InthesampleofcomplaintsanalyzedinthisReport,thismeansthatonly21(17%)ofthecomplaintsofpolicemisconductwouldhavebeenreported,andthatnoneofthecasesinwhichtheBoardendeduprecommendingChargesandSpecifications(themostseriousdisciplinaryrecommendationavailable)wouldhavecometolight.

In29(26%)ofalloftheanalyzedcomplaints,theadultswhoreportedthecasetotheCCRBwerereportingnon-witnesses,highlightingthatiftheyoungpeopledidnottellanadultaboutthepoliceinteraction,themisconductwouldnothavebeenreported.

Oneofthemajorhindrancestoparentsandguardiansknowingthattheirchildinteractedwiththepoliceisthatofficersmaynotcontactparentsorguardians.AccordingtoPatrolGuide215-09,officersarerequiredtocontactaparent/guardianwhenachildundertheageof18isbroughtintotheprecinct.39TheCCRBhasreceivedcomplaintsthatthisnotificationisnotoccurring.FollowingthereviewofcasesforthisReport,theCCRBiscommittedtotrackingcomplaintsthatofficersfailedtonotifyparents/guardianswhentheirchildrenwerebroughtintoaprecinct.

AlthoughthePatrolGuide(PG)statesthatthedeskofficermustimmediatelynotifyaparent/guardian,thePatrolGuidedoesnothavestrictguidelinesastohowmuchtimecanelapsebeforeaparentorguardianisnotified.Suchguidancewouldprovidegreaterprotectionsforminorswhoaretakenintopolicecustody.Thefollowingcasehighlightstheimpactofthelackofclearrestrictionsontheamountoftimeaminorcanbeincustodybeforeaparent/guardianiscalled.TheCCRBrecommendsachangetoPG215-09tocreateastricterrequirementonofficerstonotifyparentsorguardianswhenayoungpersonisbroughtintothepolicestation.

Currently,thePROCEDUREsectionofPG215-09statesthattheDeskOfficer“Haveparent/guardiannotified”asStep6“[w]henajuvenilelessthan18yearsofagecommitsanoffense.”

Itisnotuntillater,intheADDITIONALDATAsectionofPG215-09thatitnotes:“Whenajuvenileisarrestedandtakenintocustody,thedeskofficerisrequiredtoimmediatelynotifyaparent/guardianthatthejuvenilehasbeentakenintocustodyandthejuvenile’slocation.”

ItisCCRB’srecommendationthatPG215-09beupdatedtoreflectthefollowing:

Current:“Haveparent/guardiannotified.”

Recommendation:“Notifyparent/guardianthatjuvenileisincustodyandlocationofjuvenile.”

39“Whenajuvenileisarrestedandtakenintocustody,thedeskofficerisrequiredtoimmediatelynotifyaparent/guardianthatthejuvenilehasbeentakenintocustodyandthejuvenile’slocation.”NYPD,PatrolGuide215.09,OffenseCommittedbyaJuvenileUnder18YearofAge(OtherThanaJuvenileOffenderorAdolescentOffender)(Jan.1,2020),availableat:https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/public_information/public-pguide3.pdf.


Theadditionaldatasectionshouldalsobeupdatedasfollows:

Current:“Whenajuvenileisarrestedandtakenintocustody,thedeskofficerisrequiredtoimmediatelynotifyaparent/guardianthatthejuvenilehasbeentakenintocustodyandthejuvenile’slocation.”

Recommendation:“Whenajuvenileisarrestedandtakenintocustody,thedeskofficerisrequiredtoimmediatelynotifyaparent/guardianthatthejuvenilehasbeentakenintocustodyandthejuvenile’slocation.Thedeskofficershallmakeeveryreasonableefforttocontacttheparent/guardian,anddocumentthenotificationtotheparent/guardian.”

Theserecommendations,reflectinglanguagedirectlypulledfromPG215-10“ArrestofJuvenileOffenderorAdolescentOffenders,”willcreatestricterrequirementsforofficersandensurethatparentsandguardiansarenotifiedinatimelymanner.

Case1:Delayedcontactofparents

AllegedVictim1,a16-year-oldgirl,andAllegedVictim2,a15-year-oldBlackgirl,werestoppedanddetainedbyofficer1andofficer2atabusstopregardinganassault.AllegedVictims1and2werehandcuffedandtransportedtoastationhousewheretheywereplacedintheJuvenileRoom.AfterbeingintheJuvenileRoomforoverthreehours,AllegedVictims1and2werereleasedtotheirparents.Theparentsdidnotseeorspeaktotheirchildrenuntilaftertheywerereleased.WhiletheinvestigationfoundthattheofficerswerejustifiedinstoppingtheAllegedVictimsandtemporarilydetainingthemwhileaninvestigationintoanassaultwasconducted,theofficeradmittedthattheparentswerenotcalleduntilafterthechildrenwerehandcuffedtoabarintheJuvenileroom,frisked,searched,theJuvenileDeskandtheDistrictAttorney’sofficecalled,andaJuvenileReportwrittenupchargingthemwithmisdemeanorassault.BecausethePatrolGuidedoesnotspecifywhentheparentsmustbenotified,theoverthree-hourdelaytocontacttheAllegedVictims’parentsisnotconsideredmisconduct.ItistheviewoftheCCRBthattheNYPDshouldensurethatparentsandguardiansarenotifiedinatimelymannertoavoidminorssittingintheprecinctaloneforseveralhours.


SECTION2:SPEAKUP,SPEAKOUT:AYOUTHSUMMITONPOLICINGINNEWYORKCITY

OnFebruary26,2018,theCCRB,inconjunctionwiththeNYUMcSilverInstituteforPovertyPolicy&ResearchandtheNYULawCenteronRace,Inequality&theLaw,hostedSpeakUp,SpeakOut:AYouthSummitonPolicinginNewYorkCity.TheSummitwasanopportunityforover250youngpeople,ages10to24,fromacrossNewYorkCitytosharetheirexperienceswithpolicing,identifyproblemsintheircommunities,andrecommendsolutionstopublicsafetyandpoliceoversightpractitioners,academics,andNYPDChiefofCommunityAffairsNildaHofmann.

TheSummitconsistedoftwopanels,oneonpolicinginandaroundschoolsandthesecondonstreetencountersandstop-question-andfrisk,followedbyanafternoonofroundtablediscussionsonimprovingpolicinginNewYorkCityledbyacademics,practitioners,andadvocatesfromavarietyoffields.Youthmoderatorsbeganeachpanelbypollingtheaudienceondifferenttopicsincluding,feelingsaboutpoliceofficersandthepresenceofmetaldetectorsinschools,andknowledgeofprogramslikeNYPD’sNeighborhoodCoordinationOfficers(NCO)program.SeveralkeyissuesemergedfromtheSummit,includingyoungpeople’sconcernofbeingtreateddisrespectfullybyofficers,brownandBlackyoungboysfeelingtargetedbyofficerspurelybecauseoftheirskintone,andtheoverwhelmingdesiretohavemoreguidancecounselors,resources,andactivitiesforyoungpeopleinsteadofanincreasedpolicepresence.

TheSummitwasparticularlyimportantinthedraftingofthisReportasitallowedtheCCRBandotherstohearstoriesfromyouth,regardlessofwhethertheyhadfiledacomplaintwiththeCCRB.Furthermore,asthefirstSummitonpolicingfocusedentirelyonyouthandledbyyoungpeople,itamplifiedthevoicesofyoungNewYorkersandenabledthemtosharetheirexperienceswiththeirpeers.Italsoconnectedthemwithpractitionerswhohelpedthemworkshoptheirproposedsolutionstopolicingandrepairingthefracturedpolice-communityrelationsinNewYorkCity.

PanelOne:PolicinginandAroundSchools

Thefirstpanelconsistedofyoungpeopleages12to16whodiscussedpolicepresenceinandaroundtheirschools.Duringthatdiscussion,theyoungpeopleoftendidnotdrawadistinctionbetweenpoliceofficersandSchoolSafetyAgents(SSAs).40Theydiscussedtheneedformentalsafetyinschoolsoverphysicalsafety,andtalkedaboutrethinkingthemissionofschool—focusingmoreoneducationratherthanincarceration.

“MyBlacknessistheweaponthattheyfear.”- 2019YouthSummitParticipant

Thepanelistshighlightedthedifferenceinschoolatmospheresandconnectedthattorace.TheynotedthatmetaldetectorsandalargerpolicepresencewereoftenseeninschoolswherethestudentswerebrownandBlack,asopposedtoschoolswherethestudentswerepredominantlywhiteorAsian.Theyalsocommentedthatdespitesocioeconomicstatusorborough,theracialdemographicofthestudentswasthekeyfactorindeterminingthelevelofpolicepresenceinandaroundaschoolaswellasthetypeofpoliceresponsewhentherewasadisturbanceattheschool.Thepanelistshadadebateaboutthepresenceofmetaldetectorsintheirschools,highlightinglongdelays,beingtreatedlikeinmates,assumedcriminality,andtheneedtocreatesaferspaces.Theynotedthattheynotonlywantedtobesafefromstudentsbringingweaponsordangerousitemsinto

40TheyoungpeopleattheSummitoftendidnotdistinguishbetweenSSAsandpoliceofficerswhenmakingobservationsabouttheirbehavior.Theyoftenreferredto“theofficersinmyschool”or‘thepoliceatmyschool.”


schools,butalsowantedtheirschoolstobespaceswheretheyweresafefrompoliceofficers,SSAs,andprivatesecurityguards.

“Kidsmakemistakes.Weshouldn’tbemistreatedortalkeddownto,weshouldbeguided.”

- 2019YouthSummitParticipantThepanelistsproposedthreeoverarchingsolutionstotheproblemsdiscussedduringPanelOne.First,theneedforciviceducationinschoolsandthedesiretohave“KnowYourRights”programsintegratedintotheircurriculums.Second,increaseddiversityamongstteachers,principals,superintendents,andimportantly,theindividualswritingthecurriculums.Third,theyaskedformoreguidancecounselors,highlightingthatschoolsoftenhadonlyoneguidancecounselorwhoisresponsibleforhundredsofstudents.Thissuggestedthatmoreguidancecounselors,insteadofofficersandSSAs,wouldleadtosaferandhealthierschoolenvironments.

PanelTwo:StreetEncountersandStop-and-Frisk

Thesecondpanelconsistedofyoungpeopleages18to24whodiscussedstreetencounterswithpolice.Thepanelistsallsharedpersonalstoriesabouttheirinteractionswithpoliceofficers,highlightingtheongoingpresenceofstop-and-friskpracticesincommunitiesofcolor.Panelistsbroughtupprofilingandhyper-policinginurbancommunities.Youngboysofcolorfeltliketheyalwaysmet“thedescription,”andnotedthattheirinteractionswiththepolicedependedheavilyontheneighborhood.OnepanelistsharedthathewasoftenstoppedbypoliceintheBronxandBrooklyn,butwasneverstoppedon42ndStreet.

Whenproposingsolutions,thepanelistsimaginedaworldwherenotall36,000NYPDofficerswerearmed,notingthatitwouldforceofficerstode-escalatesituationsbyremovingtheoptionofusingafirearm.TheyproposedthatNewYorkCitycreateasystemwithdifferentnumberstocallsothattheNYPDwasnotrespondingtoallissues,notingforexample,thatnotallofficersareproperlytrainedorsituatedtodealwithindividualsexperiencingmentalhealthcrises.

“It’sanabuseofpowerbythepolicetosteptoyouandacttoyoulikeyouareinferiorwheninfactyou’reactuallysuperior.You’retoldthatyou’regoingtobethefutureoftheworld,sowhyaren’tyousuperiornow?”

- 2019YouthSummitParticipantPollingResults

Eachpanelbeganwiththemoderatorspollingtheaudienceonquestionsaboutpolicing.Withover200peopleintheroom,participantswereabletosharetheiropinionsthroughPollEverywhere.Thisprogramallowedindividualstodownloadanapp,gotoawebsite,orsendatextrespondingtodifferentquestions,includingwhetherornottheyfeltsafecallingthepolice,theirknowledgeoftheNYPDNeighborhoodCoordinationOfficer(NCO)program,andtheirfeelingsaboutpolicepresenceinschools.41

41PollingdatacollectedfromtheYouthSummitaudiencemembersshouldnotbeusedtodrawbroadinferencesabouttheCity.


Mostindividualsintheroomrespondedthattheyeitheravoidofficersintheirneighborhoodsorhadnostrongfeelingseitherwayaboutofficers.Lessthan3%saidthattheywereclosewiththeofficersintheirneighborhoods.

Only15%oftheindividualsintheroomsaidtheyalwaysfeltsafecallingthepolice.Halfoftheroomsaidtheyonlysometimesfeltsafecallingthepolice.

WhenthepeopleintheroomwereaskediftheyknewthenameoftheirNCO,76%said“No.”SomeindividualsaskedwhatanNCOofficerisbecausetheyhadneverheardoftheNCOprogram.


Youngpeoplenotedthattheyoftenfeltcomfortableandhadpositiveinteractionswithpoliceofficerswhowerepolite,whoputintheefforttogettoknowthem,andofficerswholookedlikethem.

“Idon’tfeellikethemassmissionoftheNYPDistokeepkidssafe.”- 2019YouthSummitParticipant

OnJanuary29,2020,PoliceCommissionerDermotShea,athisfirstStateoftheNYPDaddress,announcedtheDepartment’sstrategytopreventandaddressyouthcrime.42ThestrategyincludestheestablishmentofaYouthCoordinationOfficer(YCO)programmodeledaftertheNeighborhoodCoordinationOfficerprogram,thecreationofmonthly“YouthStat”meetings,andtheincorporationofSchoolSafetyAgents(SSAs)intocommand-levelstrategymeetings.

Advocatescameoutstronglyagainsttheinitiative,assertingthattheYCOprogramisanattempttoexpandracialprofilingandtheunwarrantedsurveillanceofBlackandotheryouthofcolor.Accordingtoadvocates,theNYPDshouldfocusonholdingofficersaccountableformisconductinsteadofwhattheyseeasprofilingandcriminalizingchildren.43AdvocacygroupCommunitiesUnitedforPoliceReformcalledfortheMayorandCityCounciltoendtheYCOprogramandreallocatethefundingtoresourcesforyoungpeopleandtheirfamilies,includinghousing,youth-ledjusticeprograms,andemployment.

42PressRelease,NYPD,BuildingonNeighborhoodPolicing,CommissionerSheaOutlinesNewStrategytoPreventandAddressYouthCrime(January29,2020),https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/news/pr0129/building-neighborhood-policing-commissioner-shea-outlines-new-strategy-prevent-address#/0.43PressRelease,CommunitiesUnitedforPoliceReform,CommunitiesUnitedforPoliceReformSlamsCommissionerShea’sAnnouncementofNewNYPDInitiativetoRaciallyProfileandTrackYouth(Jan.29,2020),https://www.changethenypd.org/releases/communities-united-police-reform-slams-commissioner-shea%E2%80%99s-announcement-new-nypd-initiative.


ThechanginglandscapeoftheNYPD’sapproachtointeractionswithyouth,includingitsnewYCOinitiativeandincreasedpoliceattentiononyouthinNewYorkCity,indicatesthatthisisaparticularlyimportanttimetotrackandreportonallegationsofpolicemisconductagainstyoungpeople.TheCCRBwillcontinuetoexaminetheimpactofthesechangesonoversightanddisciplineofpoliceofficersandSSAswhointeractwithNewYorkCity’syouth.

BreakoutSessions

Thesecondhalfofthedaywasdedicatedtoengagingtheattendeesinpracticalworkshopswheretheywereteamedupwithacademics,practitioners,andexpertstoidentifywaysforyoungpeopletogetinvolvedandmakeanimpactonpolicing.TheCCRBcalleduponexpertsinvariousfieldsincluding,media,law,politics,consulting,mentalhealth,andtheartstoemphasizethatnomattertheiracademicinterest,youngpeoplecouldbeinvolvedincreativesolutionstopolicingissues.Theattendeesbroughttheirownsolutionstoworkshopandexploredquestionslikewhatbetterpolicingwouldlooklike,howtochangepoliceperceptionsofaparticularcommunity,andhowtobuildlong-termsolutionstopolicebrutality.

“IftheNYPDreallywantstokeepthekidssafe,theywillcomeupandspendmoneyforotheryouthresources.”

-2019YouthSummitParticipantTheSummitattendeeswalkedawayfeelingheard,empowered,andhavingmadeconnectionswithotheryoungpeopleandpractitionerswhoweresimilarlyinterestedinpolicingissues.TheCCRBreceivedfeedbackfromseveralyoungattendeeswhowereexcitedthattheywereabletosuggestsolutionsthemselvesandheartheopinionsandexperiencesoftheirpeers.FromtheAgency’sperspective,itwasimportanttohearfromyoungpeopleandmakesurethattheyareawarethattheCCRBisanindependentagencytheycancometowithacomplaintaboutthepolice.Theturnout,qualityofconversation,andfeedbackreceived,highlightedtheneedforfutureconversationswithyoungpeopleandtheimportanceofincludingtheyouthinpolicydecisions,legislation,andallconversationsregardingtheirsafetyandsecurity.

CCRBACTIONSTAKENASARESULTOFTHISANALYSIS

1. TheCCRBlaunchedseveralinitiativestobetterengageyoungNewYorkerswiththeAgency:

a. Inwinterof2018,theCCRBlaunchedtheYouthAdvisoryCouncil(YAC),a19-memberworkingcommitteemadeupofyoungleaders,ages10to24,whoarecommittedtocriminaljusticeissuesandimprovingpolice-communityrelations.TheYACmeetsquarterlytoadviseCCRBstaffaboutitseffortstoengageyoungNewYorkers,serveasAgencyambassadorstotheircommunities,andjointeam-buildingactivities.TheYACwasinstrumentalinplanningandhosting“SpeakUpSpeakOut:AYouthSummitonPolicinginNewYorkCity,”whichisdetailedinthisReport.

b. TheCCRBOutreachandIntergovernmentalAffairsUnitfocuseditsattentiononbuildingrelationshipswithserviceproviders,includingthoseworkingwithyouthgroups.

c. ToincreaseyouthawarenessoftheAgency,theCCRBCommunicationsUnithasbegunworkingtoincreaseanddiversifyitssocialmediapresenceonplatformslikeInstagram,YouTube,andFacebook.


2. Aspartofanefforttoprovidebetterservicesforallcivilians,theCCRBisexaminingthefeasibilityofcreatingtrainingforinvestigatorsonvulnerablepopulations,includingtheyouth.

3. AreviewofthecasesforthisReportindicatedtheneedforbettertrackingofsituationsinwhichparentswerenotnotifiedthattheirchildrenwerebroughtintotheprecinct,andwhetherthosechildrenwerearrested,questioned,ordetained.ThePolicyUnithasbeguntrackingthisissueandwillreportbacktotheBoardperiodically.


RECOMMENDATIONSFORTHENYPD

GiventhefindingsofthisReport,theCCRBrecommendsthefollowingactions:

1. Tobetterenableoversightagenciestotrackpoliceinteractionswithyouth,theNYPDshouldbreakdownitspublicly-reportedUseofForcedatabycombinedageandrace,aswellasbyincludingcomplaintdispositionsanddisciplineimposedinSchoolSafetyOfficerComplaintReports.Dataonyouthandpolicingishardtofind,andthusishardtoanalyze.AsthereiscurrentlynoindependentoversightoverSchoolSafetyAgents,IABshouldincludedisciplinaryinformationonagentsfoundtohavecommittedmisconductinthequarterlyForce,AbuseofAuthority,Discourtesy,andOffensiveLanguagereportspublishedpursuanttotheSchoolSafetyAct.

2. Duetotheheightenedriskoflastingtraumaonyouthasavulnerablepopulation,44whenappropriate,theageoftheallegedvictimshouldbeconsideredbyboththeNYPDandtheCCRBintheirDisciplineFrameworksasafactorthatcouldincreasetherecommendedandimposeddisciplineforofficerswhocommitmisconduct.

3. TheNYPDshouldtrainallpoliceofficersonthedifferencesbetweenpolicingadultsandpolicingyouth.Thereiscurrentlyminimaltonoinformationonhowpoliceofficersaretrainedondealingwithyoungpeople.TheCCRBbelievesthatgiventheDepartment’snewyouthinitiative,itisimportantthattheNYPDincreaseitstransparencyabouthowofficers,particularlyYouthCoordinationOfficers,willbetrainedtointeractwithyoungpeople.45

4. TheNYPDshouldtakethefindingsofthisReportintoaccountwhenfinalizingitsnewyouthinitiative.TheDepartmentshouldimplementitsnewprogramequitablyandshouldnotoverpoliceyoungNewYorkersofcolor.

5. TheNYPDshouldadoptCCRB’srecommendedchangestoPatrolGuide215-09tocreateastricterrequirementonofficerstonotifyparentsorguardianswhenayoungpersonisbroughtintothepolicestation.

44SeeStephanieA.Wiley&Finn-AageEsbensen,TheEffectofPoliceContact:DoesOfficialInterventionResultinDevianceAmplification?,62CRIME&DELINQ.3,283–307(2013),https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128713492496.45Mostpolicedepartmentsoffernoyouth-specifictrainingasidefromthebrieflessonsinjuvenilelawtaughtduringtheacademy,accordingtoareportbytheInternationalAssociationofChiefsofPolice(IACP),aprofessionalassociationandresearchgroup.Moreover,theyoftendonothavefundingtoaddmoretraining.NearlyhalfofthedepartmentstoldtheIACPthattheirtrainingbudgetshadbeencutorabolishedentirelyinthepastfiveyears.MeghannCasanovaet.al.,Int’lAssoc.ofChiefsofPolice,LawEnforcement’sLeadershipRoleintheAdvancementofPromisingPracticesinJuvenileJustice:ExecutiveOfficerSurveyFindings(Sept.2013),https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/all/i-j/IACPJJExecutiveOfficerSurveyFindings.pdf.SeealsoSarahChildress,WhySomeOfficersarePolicingKidsDifferently,FRONTLINE,June10,2016,https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/why-some-officers-are-policing-kids-differently/.


BACKGROUNDOFTHECCRBANDGLOSSARYTheCharteroftheCityofNewYorkestablishedtheCivilianComplaintReviewBoard(CCRB)andempoweredittoreceiveandinvestigatecomplaintsfrommembersofthepublicconcerningmisconductbymembersoftheNewYorkCityPoliceDepartment(NYPD).TheCCRBisrequiredtoconductitsinvestigations“fairlyandindependently,andinamannerinwhichthepublicandthepolicedepartmenthaveconfidence.”UndertheCityCharter,theCCRBhasjurisdictiontoinvestigatethefollowingcategoriesofpolicemisconduct:Force,AbuseofAuthority,Discourtesy,andOffensiveLanguage,collectivelyknownasFADO.TheCCRBalsohastheauthoritytoinvestigateandmakerecommendationsaboutthetruthfulnessofmaterialstatementsmadebyasubjectofficerduringthecourseofaCCRBinvestigationofaFADOallegation.TheCCRBwillnoteothermisconductituncoversduringthecourseofitsinvestigationthatfallsoutsideitsjurisdiction,whichtheDepartmenthasrequestedbenotedorisconsideredimportanttobringtotheDepartment’sattention.Examplesofothermisconductincludefailuresbyofficerstoenternecessaryinformationintheiractivitylogs(memobooks),andfailurestocompleterequireddocumentationofanincident.

TheBoardnowconsistsof15members,fiveappointedbyCityCouncil(onefromeachborough),fiveappointedbytheMayor,threedesignatedbythePoliceCommissionerandappointedbytheMayor,oneappointedbythePublicAdvocate,andtheChairoftheBoardwhowillbeduallyappointedbytheMayorandCityCouncil.ThePublicAdvocateappointeeandthejointly-appointedBoardChairwillassumetheirofficesbeginninginJuly2020.UndertheCityCharter,theBoardmustreflectthediversityofthecity’sresidentsandallmembersmustliveinNewYorkCity.NomemberoftheBoardmayhavealawenforcementbackground,exceptthosedesignatedbythePoliceCommissioner,whomusthavehadalawenforcementvocation.NoBoardmembermaybeapublicemployeeorserveinpublicoffice.Boardmembersservethree-yearterms,whichcanbe,andoftenare,renewed.

TheExecutiveDirectorisappointedbytheBoardandistheChiefExecutiveOfficer,whoisresponsibleformanagingtheday-to-dayoperationsoftheAgencyandoverseeingitsnearly200employees.TheAgencyconsistsofa90-memberInvestigationsDivisionresponsibleforinvestigatingallegationsofpolicemisconductwithintheAgency’sjurisdiction(FADO),andformakinginvestigativefindings.Themostseriouspolicemisconductcases,forwhichtheBoardhassubstantiatedmisconductandrecommendeddisciplineintheformofChargesandSpecifications,areprosecutedbya14-memberAdministrativeProsecutionUnit(APU).TheAPUbeganoperatinginApril2013,aftertheCCRBandtheNYPDsignedaMemorandumofUnderstandingestablishingtheunit.Theprosecutorswithintheunitareresponsibleforprosecuting,trying,andresolvingcasesbeforeaDeputyCommissionerofTrialsorAssistantDeputyCommissionerofTrialsatOnePolicePlaza.

TheAgencyalsoincludesaMediationUnitwithtrainedthird-partymediatorswhomaybeabletoresolvelessseriousallegationsbetweenapoliceofficerandacivilian.Acomplainantmaymediatehisorhercasewiththesubjectofficer,inlieuofaninvestigation,withtheCCRBprovidinganeutral,third-partymediator.TheOutreachandIntergovernmentalAffairsUnitactsasaliaisonwithvariousentities,andisresponsibleforintergovernmentalrelations,outreachpresentations,andcommunityeventsthroughoutthefiveboroughsofNewYorkCity.

MembersofthepublicwhofilecomplaintsregardingallegedmisconductbyNYPDofficersarereferredtoascomplainants.Otherciviliansinvolvedintheincidentarecategorizedasvictimsorwitnesses.Officerswhoareallegedtohavecommittedactsofmisconductarecategorizedassubjectofficers,whileofficerswhowitnessedorwerepresentfortheallegedmisconductarecategorizedas


witnessofficers.TheCCRB’sinvestigatorsintheIntakeUnitreceivecomplaintsfiledbythepublicin-person,bytelephone,voicemail,onlinecomplaintform,orreferredtotheAgencybytheNYPD.Whenacomplaintisfiled,theCCRBassignsitauniquecomplaintidentificationnumber.TheCCRBalsoreferstocomplaintsascases.AsinglecomplaintorcasemaycontainmultipleFADOallegations.

Allegationsregardingimproperentries,searches,orfailurestoshowawarrantareconsideredallegationsfallingwithintheCCRB’sAbuseofAuthorityjurisdiction.Thevastmajorityofcomplaintsregardingimproperentries,searches,orwarrantexecutionsinvolveonlyasingleincidentofentryorsearch,butsomecomplaintsinvolvemorethanoneentryorsearch(occurringonthesamedayorondifferentdays).Eachallegationisreviewedseparatelyduringaninvestigation.

Duringaninvestigation,theCCRB’scivilianinvestigatorsgatherdocumentaryandvideoevidenceandconductinterviewswithcomplainants,victims,civilianwitnesses,subjectofficers,andwitnessofficersinordertodeterminewhethertheallegationsoccurredandwhethertheyconstitutemisconduct.Attheconclusionoftheinvestigation,aclosingreportisprepared,summarizingtherelevantevidenceandprovidingafactualandlegalanalysisoftheallegations.TheclosingreportandinvestigativefileareprovidedtotheBoardbeforeitreachesadisposition.ApanelofthreeBoardmembers(aBoardPanel)reviewsthematerial,makesfindingsforeachallegationinthecase,andifanyallegationsaresubstantiated,providesarecommendationastothedisciplinethatshouldbeimposedonthesubjectofficer(s).

TheDispositionistheBoard’sfindingontheoutcomeofacase(i.e.,ifmisconductoccurred).TheBoardisrequiredtouseapreponderanceoftheevidencestandardofproofinevaluatingcases.FindingsonthemeritsresultwhenCCRBisabletoconductafullinvestigationandobtainsufficientcredibleevidencefortheBoardtoreachafactualandlegaldeterminationregardinganofficer’sconduct.Inthesecases,theBoardmayarriveatoneofthefollowingfindingsonthemeritsforeachallegationinthecase:substantiated,exonerated,orunfounded.Substantiatedcasesarethosewhereitwasprovenbyapreponderanceofevidencethattheallegedactsoccurredandtheactsconstitutedmisconduct.Exoneratedcasesarethosewhereitwasshownbyapreponderanceoftheevidencethattheallegedactsoccurred,buttheactsdidnotconstitutemisconduct.Unfoundedcasesarethosewheretherewasapreponderanceoftheevidencethattheactsallegeddidnotoccur.UnsubstantiatedcasesarethosewheretheCCRBwasabletoconductafullinvestigation,buttherewasinsufficientevidencetoestablishbyapreponderanceoftheevidencewhetherornotanactofmisconductoccurred.Insomecases,theCCRBisunabletoconductafullinvestigationormediationandmusttruncatethecase.46

46Fully-investigatedcasescomprisecomplaintsdisposedofassubstantiated,unsubstantiated,exonerated,unfounded,officersunidentified,ormiscellaneous.MiscellaneouscasesarethosewhereanofficerretiresorleavestheDepartmentbeforetheBoardreceivesthecasefordecision.Truncatedcasesaredisposedofinoneofthefollowingways:complaintwithdrawn,complainant/victimuncooperative,complainant/victimunavailable,andvictimunidentified.


NEWYORKCITYCHARTERChapter18-A,CivilianComplaintReviewBoard

§440Publiccomplaintsagainstmembersofthepolicedepartment.

(a)ItisintheinterestofthepeopleofthecityofNewYorkandtheNewYorkCitypolicedepartmentthattheinvestigationofcomplaintsconcerningmisconductbyofficersofthedepartmenttowardsmembersofthepublicbecomplete,thoroughandimpartial.Theseinquiriesmustbeconductedfairlyandindependently,andinamannerinwhichthepublicandthepolicedepartmenthaveconfidence.Anindependentciviliancomplaintreviewboardisherebyestablishedasabodycomprisedsolelyofmembersofthepublicwiththeauthoritytoinvestigateallegationsofpolicemisconductasprovidedinthissection.

(b)Civiliancomplaintreviewboard.

1.Theciviliancomplaintreviewboardshallconsistof15membersofthepublic.MembersshallberesidentsofthecityofNewYorkandshallreflectthediversityofthecity'spopulation.Themembersoftheboardshallbeappointedasfollows:(i)fivemembers,onefromeachofthefiveboroughs,shallbeappointedbythecitycouncil;(ii)onemembershallbeappointedbythepublicadvocate;(iii)threememberswithexperienceaslawenforcementprofessionalsshallbedesignatedbythepolicecommissionerandappointedbythemayor;(iv)fivemembersshallbeappointedbythemayor;and(v)onemembershallbeappointedjointlybythemayorandthespeakerofthecounciltoserveaschairoftheboard.

2.Nomemberoftheboardshallholdanyotherpublicofficeoremployment.Nomembers,exceptthosedesignatedbythepolicecommissioner,shallhaveexperienceaslawenforcementprofessionals,orbeformeremployeesoftheNewYorkCitypolicedepartment.Forthepurposesofthissection,experienceasalawenforcementprofessionalshallincludeexperienceasapoliceofficer,criminalinvestigator,specialagent,oramanagerialorsupervisoryemployeewhoexercisedsubstantialpolicydiscretiononlawenforcementmatters,inafederal,state,orlocallawenforcementagency,otherthanexperienceasanattorneyinaprosecutorialagency.

3.Themembersshallbeappointedfortermsofthreeyears,exceptthatofthemembersfirstappointed,fourshallbeappointedfortermsofoneyear,ofwhomoneshallhavebeendesignatedbythecouncilandtwoshallhavebeendesignatedbythepolicecommissioner,fourshallbeappointedfortermsoftwoyears,ofwhomtwoshallhavebeendesignatedbythecouncil,andfiveshallbeappointedfortermsofthreeyears,ofwhomtwoshallhavebeendesignatedbythecouncilandoneshallhavebeendesignatedbythepolicecommissioner.

4.Intheeventofavacancyontheboardduringthetermofofficeofamemberbyreasonofremoval,death,resignation,orotherwise,asuccessorshallbechoseninthesamemannerastheoriginalappointment.Amemberappointedtofillavacancyshallserveforthebalanceoftheunexpiredterm.

(c)Powersanddutiesoftheboard.

1.Theboardshallhavethepowertoreceive,investigate,hear,makefindingsandrecommendactionuponcomplaintsbymembersofthepublicagainstmembersofthepolicedepartmentthatallegemisconductinvolvingexcessiveuseofForce,AbuseofAuthority,Discourtesy,oruseofOffensiveLanguage,including,butnotlimitedto,slursrelatingtorace,ethnicity,religion,gender,


sexualorientationanddisability.Theboardshallalsohavethepowertoinvestigate,hear,makefindingsandrecommendactionregardingthetruthfulnessofanymaterialofficialstatementmadebyamemberofthepolicedepartmentwhoisthesubjectofacomplaintreceivedbytheboard,ifsuchstatementwasmadeduringthecourseofandinrelationtotheboard'sresolutionofsuchcomplaint.Thefindingsandrecommendationsoftheboard,andthebasistherefore,shallbesubmittedtothepolicecommissioner.Nofindingorrecommendationshallbebasedsolelyuponanunsworncomplaintorstatement,norshallpriorunsubstantiated,unfoundedorwithdrawncomplaintsbethebasisforanysuchfindingorrecommendation.

2.Theboardshallpromulgaterulesofprocedureinaccordancewiththecityadministrativeprocedureact,includingrulesthatprescribethemannerinwhichinvestigationsaretobeconductedandrecommendationsmadeandthemannerbywhichamemberofthepublicistobeinformedofthestatusofhisorhercomplaint.Suchrulesmayprovidefortheestablishmentofpanels,whichshallconsistofnotlessthanthreemembersoftheboard,whichshallbeempoweredtosupervisetheinvestigationofcomplaints,andtohear,makefindingsandrecommendactiononsuchcomplaints.Nosuchpanelshallconsistexclusivelyofmembersdesignatedbythecouncil,ordesignatedbythepolicecommissioner,orselectedbythemayor.

3.Theboard,bymajorityvoteofitsmembers,maycompeltheattendanceofwitnessesandrequiretheproductionofsuchrecordsandothermaterialsasarenecessaryfortheinvestigationofcomplaintssubmittedpursuanttothissection.

4.Theboardshallestablishamediationprogrampursuanttowhichacomplainantmayvoluntarilychoosetoresolveacomplaintbymeansofinformalconciliation.

5.Theboardisauthorized,withinappropriationsavailabletherefore,toappointsuchemployeesasarenecessarytoexerciseitspowersandfulfillitsduties.Theboardshallemploycivilianinvestigatorstoinvestigateallcomplaints.

6.Theboardshallissuetothemayorandthecitycouncilasemi-annualreportwhichshalldescribeitsactivitiesandsummarizeitsactions.

7.Theboardshallhavetheresponsibilityofinformingthepublicabouttheboardanditsduties,andshalldevelopandadministeranon-goingprogramfortheeducationofthepublicregardingtheprovisionsofthischapter.

(d)Cooperationofpolicedepartment.

1.Itshallbethedutyofthepolicedepartmenttoprovidesuchassistanceastheboardmayreasonablyrequest,tocooperatefullywithinvestigationsbytheboard,andtoprovidetotheboarduponrequestrecordsandothermaterialswhicharenecessaryfortheinvestigationofcomplaintssubmittedpursuanttothissection,exceptsuchrecordsormaterialsthatcannotbedisclosedbylaw.

2.Thepolicecommissionershallensurethatofficersandemployeesofthepolicedepartmentappearbeforeandrespondtoinquiriesoftheboardanditscivilianinvestigatorsinconnectionwiththeinvestigationofcomplaintssubmittedpursuanttothissection,providedthatsuchinquiriesareconductedinaccordancewithdepartmentproceduresforinterrogationofmembers.

3.Thepolicecommissionershallreporttotheboardonanyactiontakenincasesinwhichtheboardsubmittedafindingorrecommendationtothepolicecommissionerwithrespecttoamatterwithinitsjurisdictionpursuanttothissection.Inanycasesubstantiatedbytheboardinwhichthe


policecommissionerintendstoimposeorhasimposedadifferentpenaltyorlevelofdisciplinethanthatrecommendedbytheboardorbythedeputycommissionerresponsibleformakingdisciplinaryrecommendations,thepolicecommissionershallprovidesuchwrittenreport,withnoticetothesubjectofficer,nolaterthan45daysaftertheimpositionofsuchdisciplineorinsuchshortertimeframeasmayberequiredpursuanttoanagreementbetweenthepolicecommissionerandtheboard.Suchreportshallincludeadetailedexplanationofthereasonsfordeviatingfromtheboard'srecommendationortherecommendationofthedeputycommissionerresponsibleformakingdisciplinaryrecommendationsand,incasesinwhichthepolicecommissionerintendstoimposeorhasimposedapenaltyorlevelofdisciplinethatislowerthanthatrecommendedbytheboardorsuchdeputycommissioner,shallalsoincludeanexplanationofhowthefinaldisciplinaryoutcomewasdetermined,includingeachfactorthepolicecommissionerconsideredinmakinghisorherdecision.

(e)Theprovisionsofthissectionshallnotbeconstruedtolimitorimpairtheauthorityofthepolicecommissionertodisciplinemembersofthedepartment.Norshalltheprovisionsofthissectionbeconstruedtolimittherightsofmembersofthedepartmentwithrespecttodisciplinaryaction,includingbutnotlimitedtotherighttonoticeandahearing,whichmaybeestablishedbyanyprovisionoflaworotherwise.

(f)Theprovisionsofthissectionshallnotbeconstruedtopreventorhindertheinvestigationorprosecutionofmembersofthedepartmentforviolationsoflawbyanycourtofcompetentjurisdiction,agrandjury,districtattorney,orotherauthorizedofficer,agencyorbody.

(g)1.Beginninginfiscalyear2021andforeachfiscalyearthereafter,theappropriationsavailabletopayforthepersonalservicesexpensesoftheciviliancomplaintreviewboardduringeachfiscalyearshallnotbelessthananamountsufficienttofundpersonalservicescostsforthenumberoffull-timepersonnelpluspart-timepersonnel,calculatedbasedonfull-timeequivalencyrates,equalto0.65percentofthenumberofuniformbudgetedheadcountofthepolicedepartmentforthatfiscalyear,asdeterminedconsistentwithpublishedbudgetedheadcountdocumentsoftheofficeofmanagementandbudget.Thecalculationtodeterminetheminimumappropriationsforthepersonalservicesexpensesoftheciviliancomplaintreviewboardpursuanttothisparagraphshallbesetforthinthepreliminaryexpensebudget,theexecutiveexpensebudget,andtheadoptedbudget.

2.Notwithstandingparagraph1andinadditiontoanyactionthatmaybeundertakenpursuanttosection106,theappropriationsavailabletopayforthepersonalservicesexpensesoftheciviliancomplaintreviewboardmaybelessthantheminimumappropriationsrequiredbyparagraph1providedthat,priortoadoptionofthebudgetpursuanttosection254orpriortotheadoptionofabudgetmodificationpursuanttosection107,themayordeterminesthatsuchreductionisfiscallynecessaryandthatsuchreductionispartofaplantodecreaseoverallappropriationsorisduetounforeseenfinancialcircumstances,andthemayorsetsforththebasisforsuchdeterminationsinwritingtothecouncilandtheciviliancomplaintreviewboardatthetimeofsubmissionoradoption,asapplicable,ofanybudgetorbudgetmodificationcontainingsuchreduction.


BOARDMEMBERSMAYORALDESIGNEES

FredDavie,ChairoftheBoard

FredDavieservesastheExecutiveVicePresidentfortheUnionTheologicalSeminarylocatedinNewYorkCity,whichpreparesstudentstoservethechurchandsociety.Additionally,heisamemberoftheMayor’sClergyAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)andisco-convenerofitsPublicSafetyCommittee,whichisfocusedonbuildingcommunitysafetyandimprovingpolice-communityrelations.BeforeworkingatUnionTheologicalSeminary,Mr.DavieservedasInterimExecutiveDirectorandSeniorDirectorofSocialJusticeandLGBTProgramsattheArcusFoundation,whichfundsorganizationsworldwidethatadvanceaninclusive,progressivepublicpolicyagenda.Mr.DavieservedonPresidentBarackObama’stransitionteamandwaslaterappointedtotheWhiteHouseCouncilofFaith-basedandNeighborhoodPartnerships.Mr.DaviehasservedtheCityasDeputyBoroughPresidentofManhattanandChiefofStafftotheDeputyMayorforCommunityandPublicAffairs.Mr.DavieisamayoraldesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

M.Div.,YaleDivinitySchool;B.A.,GreensboroCollege

JohnSiegal,Esq.

JohnSiegalisapartnerinBakerHostetler,anationalbusinesslawfirm,wherehehandleslitigation,arbitrations,andappealsforclientsinthefinancialservices,media,andrealestateindustries.Mr.Siegal’spracticealsoincludesconstitutionallaw,civilrights,Article78,andothercasesagainstgovernmentagencies.HehasbeenadmittedtopracticelawinNewYorksince1987.Mr.Siegal’spublicserviceexperienceincludesworkingasanAssistanttoMayorDavidN.DinkinsandasaCapitolHillstaffaidetoSenator(thenCongressman)CharlesE.Schumer.Throughouthislegalcareer,Mr.SiegalhasbeenactiveinNewYorkcivic,community,andpoliticalaffairs.Mr.SiegalisamayoraldesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.J.D.,NewYorkUniversitySchoolofLaw;B.A.,ColumbiaCollege

EricaBond,Esq.

EricaBondhasexperienceinthegovernment,non-profit,publicpolicy,andlegalsectors.Mostrecently,Ms.BondservedasSpecialAdvisorforCriminalJusticetotheFirstDeputyMayorofNewYorkCity.Inthisrole,sheadvisedandsupportedtheFirstDeputyMayorinmanagementoftheCity’scriminaljusticeagencies.Priortojoiningcitygovernment,Ms.BondwasaDirectorofCriminalJusticeattheLauraandJohnArnoldFoundation,wheresheworkedtodevelopnewresearch,policyreforms,andevidenced-basedinnovationswiththegoaloftransformingcriminaljusticesystemsnationwide.Inthisrole,shepartneredwithcriminaljusticepractitioners,researchers,andpolicymakersoninitiativestoimprovecommunitysafety,increasetrustandconfidenceinthecriminaljusticesystem,andensurefairnessinthecriminaljusticeprocess.Aftergraduatingfromlawschool,Ms.BondbeganalegalcareerasaLitigationAssociateatKayeScholer(nowArnold&PorterKayeScholerLLP),aninternationallawfirmwheresherepresentedclientsonavarietyofmatters,includinggovernmentinvestigations,regulatorycomplianceissues,andcommercialdisputes.Ms.BondisamayoraldesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

J.D.FordhamUniversitySchoolofLaw;B.A.,WesleyanUniversity


CorinneA.Irish,Esq.

CorrineIrishisanattorneywiththeinternationallawfirmSquirePattonBoggs,whereshelitigatesandcounselsclientsonavarietyofcomplexcommercialmatters,rangingfromcontractdisputestoenforcingintellectualpropertyrightstoadvisingclientsonregulatorycompliance.Ms.Irishisalsoafoundingmemberofthefirm’sPublicServiceInitiative,whereshehaslitigateddeathpenalty,criminal,andcivilrightscasesinvolvingamiscarriageofjusticeoradenialoffundamentalrightsonbehalfofindigentclients.ShealsohasservedascounselforamiciclientsbeforetheU.S.SupremeCourtinimportantcasesofcriminalconstitutionallaw.Ms.Irishpreviouslyservedasalawclerk,firsttotheHonorableWilliamG.YoungoftheU.S.CourtfortheDistrictofMassachusettsandthentotheHonorableBarringtonD.ParkeroftheU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheSecondCircuit.Ms.Irishisalecturer-in-lawatColumbiaLawSchool,whereshehastaughtsince2012.ShewasalsoanadjunctprofessoratBrooklynLawSchoolin2008and2009.Ms.IrishwasrecognizedforsixconsecutiveyearsasaRisingStarinNewYorkSuperLawyersandrecentlyhasbeennamedtoTheNationalBlackLawyers–Top100.Ms.IrishisamayoraldesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

J.D.HarvardLawSchool;B.A.,UniversityofPennsylvania

AngelaSungPinsky

AngelaSungPinskyisadedicatedpublicservantwhoiscommittedtothepromotionofcivicdialogueinNewYorkCity.Mostrecently,Ms.PinskyservesasExecutiveDirectorfortheAssociationforaBetterNewYork(ABNY),whereshedrovepublicpolicyandmanageda$1.8millionbudget.PriortojoiningABNY,AngelaservedasSeniorVicePresidentforManagementServicesandGovernmentAffairsattheRealEstateBoardofNewYork(REBNY),whereshewasresponsibleforREBNY’scommercialandresidentialManagementDivisions,andwastheleadonbuildingcode,sustainabilityandenergy,andfederalissuesthatimpactNewYorkCityrealestate.Ms.PinskyalsopreviouslyservedasDeputyChiefofStaffattheOfficeoftheDeputyMayorforEconomicDevelopmentandRebuildingduringtheBloombergadministration.WhileattheDeputyMayor’soffice,shedesignedandcreatedtheMayor’sOfficeofEnvironmentalRemediation,aninnovativeofficededicatedtoremediationofcontaminatedlandineconomically-disadvantagedareasofNewYorkCity.

M.A.NewYorkUniversity;B.A.JohnsHopkinsUniversity

CITYCOUNCILDESIGNEES

JosephA.Puma

JosephPuma'scareerinpublicandcommunityservicehasbeenexemplifiedbythevariouspositionshehasheldincivilrightslaw,community-basedorganizations,andlocalgovernment.AsaparalegalwiththeNAACPLegalDefenseandEducationFund,Mr.Pumahandledcasesinvolvingcriminaljustice,votingrights,employmentdiscrimination,andschooldesegregation.PriortojoiningNAACPLDF,heworkedformorethansixyearsattheNYCOfficeofManagementandBudget,whereheservedinrolesinintergovernmentalaffairs,policy,andbudget.From2003to2004,heservedasacommunityliaisonforformerNYCCouncilMemberMargaritaLópez.Since2007,Mr.PumahasbeeninvolvedwithGoodOldLowerEastSide(GOLES),acommunityorganizationhelpingresidentswithissuesofhousing,landuse,employment,post-Sandyrecoveryandlong-termplanning,andenvironmentalandpublichealth.Alifelongcitypublichousingresident,Mr.PumacurrentlyservesonGOLES'sBoardofDirectors,andhasparticipatedinnational


publichousingpreservationefforts.Mr.PumaisaCityCouncildesigneetotheBoardfirstappointedbyMayorMichaelBloombergandreappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

Certificate,LegalStudies,HunterCollege,CityUniversityofNewYork;B.A.,YaleUniversity

MarbreStahly-Butts,Esq.

MarbreStahly-ButtsisaformerSorosJusticeFellowandnowPolicyAdvocateattheCenterforPopularDemocracy.HerSorosJusticeworkfocusedondevelopingpolicereformsfromthebottomupbyorganizingandworkingwithfamiliesaffectedbyaggressivepolicingpracticesinNewYorkCity.Ms.Stahly-Buttsalsoworksextensivelyonpoliceandcriminaljusticereformwithpartnersacrossthecountry.Whileinlawschool,Ms.Stahly-Buttsfocusedontheintersectionofcriminaljusticeandcivilrights,andgainedlegalexperiencewiththeBronxDefenders,theEqualJusticeInitiative,andthePrisonPolicyInitiative.Beforelawschool,Ms.Stahly-ButtsworkedinZimbabweorganizingcommunitiesimpactedbyviolence,andtaughtatNelsonMandela’salmamaterinSouthAfrica.Ms.Stahly-ButtsisaCityCouncildesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

J.D.,YaleLawSchool;M.A.,OxfordUniversity;B.A.,ColumbiaUniversity

MichaelRivadeneyra,Esq.

MichaelRivadeneyraistheSeniorDirectorofGovernmentRelationsattheYMCAofGreaterNewYork,wherehedevelopsthelegislativeandbudgetaryagendafortheorganization.Priortothisrole,Mr.RivadeneyraservedinvariouscapacitiesasalegislativestaffertoCouncilMembersJamesVacca,AnnabelPalma,andDianaReyna.Whileinlawschool,Mr.RivadeneyraservedasalegalinternatMainStreetLegalServices,whereherepresentedimmigrantsurvivorsofgenderviolenceandadvocatedonbehalfofundergraduatestudentsfromdisadvantagedbackgrounds.Mr.Rivadeneyraalsoworkedtoadvanceimmigrants’rightsasaninternattheNewYorkLegalAssistanceGroupduringlawschool.Mr.RivadeneyraisaCityCouncildesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

J.D.,CUNYSchoolofLaw,QueensCollege;B.A.,StateUniversityofNewYorkatAlbany

NathanN.Joseph

NathanN.JosephisaretiredphysicianassistantwhoservedNewYorkCityasahealthcareadministratorandpractitioner.Mr.JosephmostrecentlywasafacilityadministratoratDaVitaSouthBrooklynNephrologyCenterinBrooklyn,whereheconductedbudgetanalysisandstafftraininganddevelopment.Priortoworkingasafacilityadministrator,Mr.JosephwasanassociatedirectorforambulatoryservicesatKingsCountyHospitalCenter,wherehepreviouslywasaphysicianassistant.Mr.Joseph’sexperienceinhealthcarealsoincludesworkindetentionfacilitieswithinNewYorkCity,includingtheManhattanDetentionComplex,theSpoffordJuvenileDetentionCenter,andRikersIslandPrison,whereheprovideddailysickcallandemergencytreatmentofinmates.Mr.JosephistheStatenIslandCityCouncildesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

A.A.SStatenIslandCommunityCollege


POLICECOMMISSIONERDESIGNEES

SalvatoreF.Carcaterra

SalvatoreF.Carcaterrabeganhislawenforcementcareerin1981withtheNYPD,whereheservedfor21years.StartingasaPatrolOfficer,hewaspromotedthroughtherankstothepositionofDeputyChief.AsaDeputyChief,heservedastheExecutiveOfficertotheChiefofDepartment,where,amongmanyduties,heorganizedandimplementedtheNYPD’soverallresponsetothethreatofterrorismfollowingthe9/11attackontheWorldTradeCenter.Priortothat,Mr.CarcaterrawasaDeputyInspectorincommandoftheFugitiveEnforcementDivision.AsaDeputyInspector,healsoservedintheOfficeoftheDeputyCommissionerforOperations,managingCOMPSTAT,andcommandingtheHateCrimesTaskForce,increasingitsarrestratebyover50percent.HeservedintheNYPDDetectiveBureauasaCaptaininthe70thPrecinctandasDeputyInspectorinthe66thPrecinct.AfterretiringfromtheNYPD,Mr.Carcaterrabecamethepresidentofasecurityfirmandnowheadshisownsecuritycompany,providingpersonalandphysicalprotectiontoindividualsandcorporations.Mr.CarcaterraisapolicecommissionerdesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

B.S.,JohnJayCollegeofCriminalJustice,CityUniversityofNewYork;Graduate,FederalBureauofInvestigationNationalAcademy;Graduate,ColumbiaUniversityPoliceManagementInstitute

FrankDwyer

FrankDwyer,aBrooklynnativeandcurrentQueensresident,consultswithandteachesatpolicedepartmentsandeducationalinstitutionsthroughouttheUnitedStates.In1983,hejoinedtheNYPDandservedinQueens,Brooklyn,andManhattaninavarietyofassignmentsincludingasaPoliceAcademyLawInstructor,theCommandingOfficerofthe7thPrecinctontheLowerEastSideofManhattan,andtheCommandingOfficeroftheOfficeoftheDeputyCommissionerforOperations.HeworkedinLowerManhattanon9/11andinmonthsthatfollowed.Retiringin2012attherankofDeputyInspector,Mr.DwyeriscurrentlypursuingadoctorateinCriminalJustice.Hehasconsultedforseveralpolicedepartments,includingNewark,NewJerseyandWilmington,Delaware.Hehasalsotaughtatorconsultedforthefollowingeducationalinstitutions:JohnJayCollegeofCriminalJustice,TeachersCollege,BostonCollege,MorganStateUniversity,andtheUniversityofSanDiego.Mr.DwyerisapolicecommissionerdesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

M.S.W.,HunterCollege,CityUniversityofNewYork;M.St.,CambridgeUniversity;M.P.A.,HarvardUniversity;M.A.,FordhamUniversity;B.A.,CathedralCollege

WillieFreeman

WillieFreemanbeganhis22-yearlawenforcementcareerin1974asaPatrolOfficerintheNewYorkCityPoliceDepartment.Heservedinthe78thand84thPrecinctsinBrooklyn.In1979,hewasassignedtothePoliceAcademy,wherehetaughtphysicaleducation,policescience,andperformedadministrativedutiesasaSquadCommander.HewaspromotedtoSergeantand,subsequently,assignedtotheOrganizedCrimeControlBureau.Mr.Freemanservedinthe70thPrecinctasaPlatoonCommanderandIntegrityControlLieutenant.HeworkedinmyriaddivisionsinBrooklynandManhattanincludingnarcoticsandtheInternalAffairsBureau.Mr.FreemanretiredintherankofLieutenant.

DuringhistenurewiththeNYPD,Mr.Freemanrecruitedandtrainedthousandsofofficersand


taughtpoliceinstructions,policy,andprocedure.TheDepartmentrecognizedhisservicewithExcellentPoliceDutyandMeritoriousPoliceDutymedals.

AfterretiringfromtheDepartment,Mr.Freemanspent17yearsastheDirectorofSecurityServices/ChiefInvestigatorfortheNewarkPublicSchoolDistrict,wherehemanagedsecuritypersonnelandservedastheprimaryliaisonbetweenthepolice,thecommunityandtheschools.HehassinceworkedasapublicschoolsecurityconsultantforNewark,Hempstead,andNewYorkState.Hesuccessfullyassistslargeurbandistrictsindesigningandevaluatingschoolsafetyplans,performingfacilityaudits,andinitiatingcommunity-basedviolencepreventionprogramming.Mr.FreemanisaPoliceCommissionerdesigneetotheBoardappointedbyMayorBilldeBlasio.

M.S.,LongIslandUniversity;B.S.,SaintJohn’sUniversity;Graduate,FederalBureauofInvestigationsNationalAcademy,182ndSession


EXECUTIVEANDSENIORSTAFF

ExecutiveStaffExecutiveDirector:JonathanDarche,Esq.

SeniorAdvisor&SecretarytotheBoard:JerikaL.Richardson

GeneralCounsel:MattKadushin,Esq.

ChiefProsecutor:AndreaRobinson,Esq.

Co-ChiefofInvestigations:ChrisDuerr

Co-ChiefofInvestigations:WinsomeThelwell

DeputyExecutiveDirectorofAdministration:JeanineMarie

SeniorStaffDeputyChiefofInvestigations:DaneBuchanan,Esq.

DeputyChiefProsecutor:SuzanneO’Hare,Esq.

DirectorofCaseManagement:EshwarieMahadeo

DirectorofCommunications:ColleenRoache

DirectorofDataProcessing:LincolnMacVeagh

DirectorofHumanResources:JennelleBrooks

DirectorofInformationTechnology:CarlEsposito

DirectorofIntakeandFieldEvidenceCollection:JacquelineLevy.Esq.

DirectorofMediation:LisaGraceCohen,Esq.

DirectorofNYPDRelations:JayneCifuni

DirectorofOperationsandBudget:DavidB.Douek,Esq.

DirectorofOutreachandIntergovernmentalAffairs:YojairaAlvarez

DirectorofPolicyandAdvocacy:NicoleM.Napolitano,Ph.D.

DeputyDirectorandSeniorCounselofPolicyandAdvocacy:HaryaTarekegn,Esq.

DeputyChiefofSpecialOperations:OlasCarayannis

DirectorofTrainingandStaffDevelopment:MonteGivhan,Esq.

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