Rev. Sharpton, NYPD & Major Retailers Reach Deal In 'Shop-And-Frisk' Incidents
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An agreement was reached Thursday between the New York Police Department, Rev. Al Sharpton, and retail industry leaders on the so-called shop-and-frisk policy.
Under the agreement, police won't enter a store to investigate a report of shoplifting unless a store employee has called 911, creating a public record of the incident, TV 10/55 reported.
"So if we all agree that it has to start with a call, you at least are starting with the point where the situation began," Sharpton said.
When an accusation of racial profiling is made against a store, Sharpton said a 911 call would make it easier to determine the basis of the stop, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.
Ahead of the meeting, NYPD Comissioner Bill Bratton told 1010 WINS he had been briefed on the department's basic policies in connection with the shop-and-frisk incidents.
"I've been briefed relative to the department's activities as it relates to shoplifting, larceny, or credit card issues as it relates to these stores," the commissioner said.
Last year several customers sued some major retailers, including Macy's and Barney's, alleging they were racially profiled and suspected of shoplifting when they hadn't.
"A lot of people were put through a very painful experience of being treated like they did something wrong when they were law abiding citizens," Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Major retailers, police, and civil rights groups have already agreed to a customer bill of rights, which has been posted in stores across New York City.
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