L.L. 2018/054
Enactment date: 1/19/2018
Int. No. 182-D
By Council Members Torres, Williams, Levine, Mendez, Reynoso, Dromm, Johnson, Palma, Rosenthal, Kallos, Rodriguez, Levin, King, Menchaca, Miller, Cumbo, Ferreras-Copeland, Cornegy, Lancman, Espinal, Eugene, Koslowitz, Cohen, Salamanca, Mealy, Van Bramer, Treyger and Gentile
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring officers to identify themselves to the public
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Declaration of legislative intent and findings. The Council finds that the people of the City of New York are in great debt to the hard work and dedication of police officers in their daily duties. The Council further finds that mistrust of law enforcement officers based on allegations of discrimination hinders law enforcement efforts and that greater transparency during encounters with the public would build trust in the work of the police. New York City Police Department policy already requires that officers wear shields and nameplates at all times while in uniform, and that they provide identifying information and offer a contact card when asked. Additionally, when an officer reasonably suspects that a person has committed, is committing or is about to commit a crime, Department policy directs that an officer provide identifying information and the factors that contributed to the officer's suspicion. In adopting this law, it is the intent of the Council to increase transparency in police practices and to build trust between police officers and members of the public by requiring the Department to provide members of the public with officer identification information and notice of the reasons behind their encounters with the police.
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[Consolidated provisions are not included in this Appendix A]
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§ 3. Severability. If any portion of this local law is, for any reason, declared unconstitutional or invalid, in whole or in part, by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed severable, and such unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this local law, which remaining portions shall continue in full force and effect.
§ 4. This local law takes effect 9 months after it becomes law.