NYCLU Statement on Police Incidents in New York City Subways

NEW YORK – Last week, two incidents involving New Yorkers and police officers in subway stations resulted in violent encounters. One of the officers involved has had previous complaints filed again him with the Civilian Complaint Review Board, including excessive use of force.

The New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement from Executive Director, Donna Lieberman:

“When the public is kept in the dark about the NYPD’s disciplinary process, there is no way to hold officers accountable. It’s no surprise that the officer caught on video punching a teen on a subway platform has had a string of complaints filed against him with the Civilian Complaint Review Board. The NYPD’s misuse of 50-a keeps police misconduct a secret, allow officers with a history of complaints to remain on the job, and forces a reliance on whistleblowers to leak information on police misconduct to the public.

“As the MTA doubles down on broken windows policing and adds hundreds of more officers to subway stations under the guise of fare beating, we must have a true system of accountability in place to ensure that officers do not escalate situations and attack the people they are sworn to protect. That starts with repealing 50-a.”