Memo: “The City Council’s Bill Did Not and Cannot Alter
the Protections You Are Entitled to Under Existing Federal Law”
From The G-Man has obtained a copy of a memo that was issued to members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) by Commissioner Dermot Shea. In the memo, Shea expresses displeasure over bills that were recently approved by the New York City Council, which were created in effort to address ongoing illegal search and seizure and excessive force allegations.
According to a report in the New York Daily News, “The council also backed a move in the state Legislature to strip Police Commissioner Dermot Shea of the final say in disciplinary cases and require new police hires to reside in the five boroughs.”
“The City Council has removed ‘qualified immunity‘ as a defense from such suits for members of the NYPD. It is important to note that this local law does not remove legal entitlements available to you under state and federal law,” Shea states in the memo. “Under NY State Gen Mun Law 50-k , you are still entitled to representation or indemnification by the New York City Law Department when you are civilly sued for police action that you take, consistent with Department policy and the law.”
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