NYC Police Department Lax in Punishing Officers for Illegal Stop-and-Frisk
Study Finds Little Accountability for Wrongdoing
A court-ordered study has found that the New York City police department (NYPD) is not punishing officers who illegally stop and frisk people on the street, despite a judge declaring the practice unconstitutional over a decade ago.
Limited Discipline for Wrongdoing
James Yates, a retired New York state judge, wrote in a 503-page report that most of the dozens of internal disciplinary cases for stop-and-frisk violations that he reviewed resulted in reduced penalties or no discipline. Yates concluded that discipline for illegal stops and frisks is not pursued "with the same vigor and resolve as for other misconduct."
Lack of Transparency and Accountability
The report found that the NYPD’s discipline matrix lists a three-day penalty for an illegal stop, frisk, or search, but the imposition of such discipline is rare. Additionally, the department’s patrol guide permits guidance rather than penalties in "isolated cases of erroneous but good-faith stops or frisks." This lack of transparency and accountability allows officers to engage in illegal behavior with little fear of consequences.
Patterns of Misconduct
Yates’ report also highlighted patterns of misconduct, including the fact that Black people continue to be the targets of most stops, accounting for 59% in 2022. This is despite a sharp drop in stops since a high of nearly 686,000 in 2011.
Recommendations for Reform
Yates recommended several reforms, including:
- Making the disciplinary process more transparent, including by publicizing procedures and consulting with the court-appointed monitor on any proposed changes to the penalty matrix for stop-and-frisk related misconduct.
- Updating the NYPD’s online officer directory to show any substantiated stop-and-frisk allegations accepted by the police commissioner.
- Providing the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) panel weighing disciplinary recommendations with access to all prior investigations related to an alleged stop-and-frisk violation.
Conclusion
The NYPD’s failure to hold officers accountable for illegal stop-and-frisk violations undermines efforts to curb wrongful uses of the tactic and erodes public trust in the department. It is essential that the NYPD implement meaningful reforms to ensure transparency and accountability, and that officers are held to a high standard of conduct.
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of the 2013 stop-and-frisk ruling?
A: The 2013 ruling declared that the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk tactics were unconstitutional, as they disproportionately targeted Black and Hispanic individuals.
Q: How many stops did the NYPD conduct in 2011?
A: The NYPD reported nearly 686,000 stops in 2011.
Q: How many stops has the NYPD conducted since the 2013 ruling?
A: According to Yates’ report, the NYPD reported an average of around 12,000 stops per year from 2016 to 2019, dropping to 9,544 in 2020 and 8,948 in 2021. The number of reported stops jumped to 15,102 in 2022 and 16,971 in 2023.
Q: What are the main findings of the report?
A: The report found that the NYPD is lax in punishing officers who illegally stop and frisk people, with most cases resulting in reduced penalties or no discipline. The report also highlighted patterns of misconduct, including the continued targeting of Black people.
