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Who cares
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Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 6407a
- Amend (t) and recommit to cities
- Referred to cities
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to establishing an independent inspector general of the city of New York police department
In Assembly Committee · Cities · Sponsor Karim Camara
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6407A
Title of bill
An act to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing an independent inspector general for the city of New York police depart- ment
Purpose
To establish an independent inspector general for the New York Police Department.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 Establishes that the commissioner of investigations shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. Requires the commissioner to obtain a security clearance.
Section 2 Requires the commissioner of investigations to produce an annual report that will be available to the public.
Section 3 Extends authority of the commissioner and each inspector general to compel witnesses to give affirmations or affidavits.
Section 4 Authorizes the commissioner of investigations to appoint an inspector general for each agency, including the police department. Requires the police inspector general to obtain a security clearance.
Effects of the present law which this bill would alter
None.
Justification
In 1873 the Legislature established the Office of commissioner of Accounts in response to the corruption of the Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall era. Today the New York City Department of Investigations investi- gates fraud, corruption, and unethical activities. The Commissioner of the Department of Investigations also approves and oversees the inspec- tors general for every city agency. The Commissioner has oversight over every agency inspector general with the exception of the New York police Department. Currently, police department has a chief of internal affairs who receives complaints but reports to the commissioner of the police department, not the independent commissioner of investigations.
In recent years a growing pattern of behavior has emerged from the New York police Department that inhibits public accountability and transpar- ency. We are witness to an increase in abuses whether by individual officers or in broader policies such as stop and frisk, the treatment of the Occupy Wall Street protesters, and the wholesale surveillance of the Muslim community in New York City and other jurisdictions. On numerous occasions the public has been given misinformation or misled by the police department.
The bill seeks to restore public confidence in the New York Police Department. The people and the police department will be better served by a department that is more transparent and accountable. This legis- lation establishes an independent inspector general for the New York Police Department to achieve that goal.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implication
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.