NYPD's Leniency on Illegal Stop and Frisks Exposed in Recent Report
NYPD's Lack of Accountability for Illegal Stop and Frisks
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City police department is lax in punishing officers who illegally stop and frisk people on the street, undermining efforts to curb wrongful uses of the tactic that a judge declared unconstitutional more than a decade ago. A court-ordered study led by James Yates, a retired New York state judge, has uncovered troubling findings.
Key Findings of the Report
- Most internal disciplinary cases for stop-and-frisk violations resulted in reduced penalties or no discipline.
- Reports indicate that discipline for illegal stops and frisks is not pursued with the same vigor as other misconduct.
- Penalties for wrongdoing involving stops, questions, frisks, or searches are rare, even when repeated offenses occur.
According to the NYPD's discipline matrix, a three-day penalty is listed for an illegal stop, frisk, or search, yet imposition of that level of discipline remains a rarity. This leniency sparks critical questions about police accountability and community safety.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.