Independent Agency Gets New Powers to Prosecute New York Police Officers

[Are_grits_groceries]

Lawyers for the independent agency that investigates allegations of police abuse in New York have been given wide new powers to prosecute officers in misconduct cases under an agreement city officials reached on Tuesday.

The changes follow a period in which the Police Department has withstood an onslaught of corruption cases and increased scrutiny on several fronts, including its surveillance and stop-and-frisk practices, the integrity of its crime data and its use of force in policing Occupy Wall Street protests.

Details of the agreement were contained in a memorandum signed on Tuesday by the department and the independent oversight agency, the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

The changes are intended to shine light on a police disciplinary process that critics have long said is murky and secretive.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/nyregion/civilian-complaint-review-board-gets-new-powers-to-prosecute-new-york-police.html?pagewanted=1&%2359&&%2359;pagewanted=all

If this group can and will really prosecute, this is a very good change. It's long overdue!

[jsmirman]

1. I find this encouraging

particularly the element of review of any decisions by Kelly.

I've been appalled at what I've witnessed from afar happening in my home city; this seems like a positive step forward.