New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman wrote to Governor Andrew Cuomo requesting that the Governor give his office the Authority and responsibility to prosecute Police who kill unarmed civilians.
Schneiderman said quote: “In New York, and across the country, the promise of equal justice under law has been eroded by a series of tragedies involving the death of unarmed persons as a result of the use of force by law enforcement officers,”.
The Attorney General’s request a swift response from some of New York City’s District Attorneys.
Kenneth Thompson in Brooklyn and Richard Brown in Queens expressed opposition while the Bronx’s Robert Johnson and Manhattan’s Cy Vance had serious reservations.
“As the duly elected district attorney of Brooklyn, I am adamantly opposed to the request by the New York State Attorney General for authority to investigate and potentially prosecute alleged acts of police brutality,” Thompson said. “No one is more committed to ensuring equal justice under the law than I am.”
“It’s an insult to the intelligence and the integrity of every prosecutor in the state of New York, as well as every grand juror who examined the facts and the evidence,” said Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives Endowment Association.
The Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association endorsed Schneiderman for state attorney general in October.
On Monday, the union president Pat Lynch said Schneiderman’s request was all wrong.“There is absolutely no reason to alter the existing system because if the rule of law and rule of evidence as they stand in the State of New York are followed dispassionately and honestly, then the outcome will be right and just regardless of what office handles a case,” he said.
I am not sure whether Schneiderman’s intentions are righteous, however just because the Police Unions are opposed, I believe the Governor should considering signing that Executive Order. It appears that New York City’s DA’s are more interested in allowing their egos to rule their judgement rather than heed the cry from the public. If for no other reason Thompson of Brooklyn and Johnson of the Bronx should understand both being African Americans.
The tone deafness of the city’s DA’s and their colleagues in the Police Department is exactly what
the public is complaining about. Yet both the DA’s and Police are incapable of understanding that their relationship are too close to engender trust.
As I stated in a previous Article the problem of police abuse is certainly not a problem of police only, but is much deeper to include District Attorney’s offices and much more.
Attorney General Schneiderman noted that similar proposals to require special prosecutors to handle cases in which cops kill unarmed civilians have been around for years in the state Legislature but never enacted. He indicated an executive order by Cuomo might put pressure on the lawmakers to act.
In the past 15 years, police have been indicted in only four cases, and one of those indictments was later dismissed.
As we deal with the avalanche of police murder of unarmed black men, citizens and other stakeholders contemplate a way forward. We must recognize that this problem is much deeper than meets the eyes. Local DA’s are quick to step forward to defend their independence, no one but themselves believe that baloney.
There is a lot more to worry about when proposals to require special prosecutors to handle cases in which cops kill unarmed civilians languish in the state Legislature without a vote.
The question is why? Police Unions are big donors , they deliver huge chunks of votes to politicians who tow the line. Most importantly Police Unions in some regards are ordinary thugs, they use hard nosed tactics to keep legislators in line, particularly those in swing districts. Being branded soft on crime is more than enough to get one voted out of office. This is a chance for Cuomo to step up and make a difference. Lets see if he will sign this order or bow to police and egotistical District Attorneys.