Res. No. 434
Resolution calling on the Offices of the United States Attorney General to establish protocols to investigate and determine whether their intervention is appropriate whenever local law enforcement officials are accused of committing a homicide or a violent act.
By Council Members King, Rodriguez, Mendez, Rosenthal, Barron, Koslowitz, Cabrera, Levin and Gibson
Whereas, New Yorkers rely on the members of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) and other local law enforcement personnel to keep them safe on a daily basis; and
Whereas, New Yorkers rely on the District Attorney’s (“DA’s”) offices to prosecute those charged with committing crimes within the City, including crimes of violence; and
Whereas, By and large the NYPD and other members of local law enforcement do an excellent job in keeping New Yorkers safe, as do the DA’s in bringing those to justice who seek to harm them, or in fact harm them; and
Whereas, As is evidenced by the death of Eric Garner in New York City and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, respectively, incidents in which local law enforcement officials allegedly commit a homicide or a violent act quickly receive national attention and are of national concern; and
Whereas, Having the Offices of the United States Attorney establish protocols to investigate and determine whether their intervention is appropriate when a local law enforcement official is accused of committing a homicide or a violent act helps promote and safeguard the public's faith in the criminal justice system and ensures that the full weight of the federal government and its resources are made available in the quest for justice; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the Offices of the United States Attorney General to establish protocols to investigate and determine whether their intervention is appropriate whenever local law enforcement officials are accused of committing a homicide or a violent act.
LS# 2408
BC
10/6/2014