File #: Res 1543-2008    Version: * Name: Establish a pilot program for the use of video equipment in police vehicles in five New York City precincts.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Public Safety
On agenda: 7/23/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the New York State Assembly to pass A.3948-A, which would direct the Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services to establish a pilot program for the use of video equipment in police vehicles in five New York City precincts.
Sponsors: Letitia James, Gale A. Brewer, Helen D. Foster, Alan J. Gerson, Melissa Mark-Viverito, James Sanders, Jr., Albert Vann
Council Member Sponsors: 7

Res. No. 1543

 

Resolution calling on the New York State Assembly to pass A.3948-A, which would direct the Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services to establish a pilot program for the use of video equipment in police vehicles in five New York City precincts.

 

Council Members James, Brewer, Foster, Gerson, Mark-Viverito, Sanders Jr. and Vann

 

Whereas, The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is revered as one of the greatest police departments in world, and serves and protects over eight million New Yorkers daily; and

Whereas, There are numerous interactions each day between members of the NYPD and members of the public ranging from police inquiries to investigations of violent felonies; and

Whereas, Sometimes these encounters are the subject of confusion and misinterpretation for officers and civilians alike; and

Whereas, Every attempt should be made by the NYPD to minimize such confusion and misinterpretation; and

Whereas, One of the most accurate methods of documenting these events would be to require the installation of video cameras in patrol cars to monitor all encounters with civilians; and

Whereas, The NYPD has already recognized the value of having such cameras in highway patrol cars in order to document driving while intoxicated and other reckless driving offenses; and

Whereas, The installation of video cameras in police patrol cars will further benefit law enforcement officers by protecting them from false allegations of misconduct or brutality; and

 Whereas, These video cameras will also aid citizens by protecting them from extralegal treatment; and

Whereas, A.3948-A, currently pending in the New York State Assembly, seeks to establish a pilot program for the use of video equipment in all marked police vehicles in five New York City police precincts; and

Whereas, A.3948-A directs the Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services to establish this pilot program; and

Whereas, Similar pilot programs have been successfully enacted in Chicago and New Jersey police departments; and

Whereas, The NYPD should establish a video monitoring pilot program for their vehicles to better serve and protect police officers as well as the public; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Assembly to pass A.3948-A, which would direct the Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services to establish a pilot program for the use of video equipment in police vehicles in five New York City precincts.

 

WJH

LS # 5483

7/16/08