Requires state and local law enforcement officers to identify themselves to the public

1 Co-sponsor

• Bill Perkins

BILL NUMBER:S7308A

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring state and local law enforcement officers to identify themselves to the public

Purpose or general idea of bill

To increase transparency in police practices and rebuild trust between police officers and members of the public.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Legislative Intent.

Section 2: Adds Article 13-B to the executive law concerning the identification of state and local law enforcement officers.

Adds section 268 to the executive law - definitions Law enforcement activity - noncustodial questioning, pedestrian stops, frisks, searches of individuals persons, property, or possessions, traffic stops, roadblock or checkpoint stops, home search and contact with potential victims of and witnesses to crimes.

Noncustodial questioning - the routine, investigatory questioning of individuals and the questions of suspects where such individuals or suspects haven to be detained.

Adds section 269 to the executive law - Identification of state and local law enforcement offices Upon initiation of law enforcement activity the state or local law enforcement officers shall provide their full name, rand and command and provide the specific reason for the law enforcement activity.

Should the law enforcement activity not result in an arrest or summons, the subject or subjects of the activity shall be provided with the officer's business care which shall include at minimum the name, rank, and command of the officer.

Nothing in this section shall apply where a law enforcement officer is not in uniform and the identification would compromise officer safety or an ongoing investigation.

Section 3: Severability clause

Section 4: This act shall take effect the 90th day after it shall have become law.

Justification

The mistrust of law enforcement officers based on real or perceived discrimination hinders law enforcement efforts and has become a threat to our public safety. The intent of this legislation is increase transparency in police practices and rebuild the public trust by ensuring that there is full disclosure by an officer upon initiation of a law enforcement activity. This legislation will

protect the officers and the public from misunderstandings that can lead to safety risks and rebuild the public's trust.

Prior legislative history

New legislation.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become law.