Res. No. 1269 Title Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the New York City Council to hold hearings on a report issued by the Latino Action Center and the Equalizer Foundation, which found that on numerous occasions police officers at local precincts verbally abused Spanish speaking callers. Body By Council Members Espada, Lopez, Freed, Marshall, Perkins, Quinn and Reed; also Council Members Foster, Linares, Michels, Robinson and White Whereas, Many Spanish speakers reside in New York City and require the assistance of New York City Police Department ("NYPD") personnel; and Whereas, Patrol Guide Section 117-23, recognizing this need, states that when the need for an interpreter arises, the member of the NYPD must advise an "immediate supervisor of the need for an interpreter" and that if "no volunteer member is available within the precinct, an on-duty volunteer who is available within the borough is sought"; and Whereas, The Equalizer Foundation and Latino Action Center issued an interim report in February 2000 entitled "Report on Telephone Responses Towards Latinos: New York City Police Department's C.P.R. Policy Put to the Test", which documented a series of recorded telephone conversations between police personnel at various precincts throughout the City and a Latino caller who spoke little English; and Whereas, The Report points out that on many occasions police officers did not follow the protocol established in Patrol Guide Section 117-23 regarding interpreter services; and Whereas, In some instances documented by the Report, Spanish speakers were ridiculed and belittled; and Whereas, Such actions are inappropriate and unbecoming of a police officer; and Whereas, The Report makes a number of recommendations, which includes a thorough review of Departmental policies, procedures and training in the area of dealing with the Spanish speaking community, retraining officers regarding the CCRB, and strict accountability of supervisors to ensure that subordinates comply with Department policies with respect to CCRB and IAB; and Whereas, These issues are of serious concern to all New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the appropriate committee of the New York City Council hold hearings on a report issued by the Latino Action Center and the Equalizer Foundation, which found that on numerous occasions police officers at local precincts verbally abused Spanish speaking callers. LS# 2707