Lhota Calls Quinn's Support For NYPD Inspector General 'Reckless' And 'Dangerous'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Republican mayoral candidate Joseph Lhota is calling on City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to withdraw her support for a measure to have an inspector general oversee the New York City Police Department.
Last month, Quinn announced city lawmakers had reached a deal to install an inspector general to monitor the nation's biggest police department following criticism over the NYPD's stop and frisk policy and widespread surveillance of Muslims.
Lhota called his potential rival's support of the bill reckless and dangerous.
Lhota Calls Quinn's Support For NYPD Inspector General 'Reckless' And 'Dangerous'
"It allows the inspector general to make decisions that I think would countermand or put into question what the police commissioner should in his soul or her soul have the right to do," Lhota said.
Quinn is standing firm and insists having an inspector general will increase accountability and oversight of police practices without taking one step backwards in the fight against crime.
Lhota disagreed, saying, "The New York City Police Department has more oversight than any other police department in the United States of America and this level of bureaucracy is completely unnecessary."
Lhota Calls Quinn's Support For NYPD Inspector General 'Reckless' And 'Dangerous'
Quinn said the council will vote to pass the bill in the next few weeks.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said he would veto the measure, but Quinn said she has enough support to overturn the veto.
Bloomberg has said he believes creating an inspector general would be "disastrous for public safety" and "put the lives of New Yorkers and police officers at risk."
The proposal for an inspector general has been shaping up to be a big issue in the mayor's race.
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