Mayor Bill De Blasio, Commissioner Dermot Shea Announce Phase 2 Of NYPD Reform Plan; 'You Cannot Ignore The Emotions That Are Out There'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There is an ongoing effort to reform the NYPD before the state's deadline on April 1.
On Friday, Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea outlined the second phase of their plan.
After tens of thousands marched through the city last summer to demand change, many felt there was a lack of accountability within the police department, CBS2's Kevin Rincon reported.
That's a feeling Shea knows all too well.
"At times, I would disagree with it. But you cannot ignore the emotions that are out there, and you also can't ignore that if that many people are saying it, you better look in the mirror and say, 'What can we do better?' Shea said.
Mayor de Blasio said the report contains 28 proposals, with key themes:
- Decriminalization of poverty
- Transparency and accountability
- Community representation
It outlines efforts to decriminalize poverty, recognize historical and modern day racialized policing, provide transparency and accountability, community representation and partnership to make sure the NYPD reflects the city, and diversifying the department.
WATCH: Mayor De Blasio Discusses Phase 2 Of Police Reform
One idea asks the state legislature to pass harsher punishments for officers accused of misconduct -- like suspensions without pay for longer than 30 days and pension forfeiture in cases resulting in death or serious injury.
"In those very few tragic cases, consequences are crucial," de Blasio said.
The report was produced alongside several groups, including the New York Urban League.
"For too long, we have heard that the NYPD has a few bad apples. Well, it's time that we prune the orchard," said Arva Rice, president and CEO of the New York Urban League.
Rice said these reforms are needed to break what's felt like an endless cycle.
"African Americans and Latinos make up 17% of the population of New York State when we make up 92% of the population of our prison system," said Rice.
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Another proposal would increase the residency points for those looking to become police officers.
"We will now double that to a 10-point preference, and this will greatly advantage New York City residents who want to serve this city on the NYPD," de Blasio said.
"If you want more city residents to become police officers -- and remain city residents once they take the job -- you need to pay them a fair market wage," PBA President Pat Lynch said in a statement.
While the police union says some of the proposals go too far, others say they don't go far enough.
The group Communities United for Police Reform said, "This isn't a plan that will decrease police violence or increase accountability -- It's a plan that will expand the NYPD's already bloated budget and outsized power in NYC."
The changes stem from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order requiring police departments statewide to adopt a reform plan by April 1, 2021 or risk losing state funding
To read the NYPD's full reform plan, click here.
CBS2's Kevin Rincon contributed to this report.
