Gov. Cuomo: Restore public confidence in the state's justice system
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Gov. Cuomo: Restore public confidence in the state's justice system
**UPDATE:** Victory! Gov. Cuomo has signed an executive order appointing a special prosecutor for police killings. It is hard to put into words the historical significance of this victory. For more than 60 years, New Yorkers have fought for independent oversight in order to protect their loved ones — in order to protect Black lives. Click here to thank the families most impacted by police violence whose dedication and commitment lead to this victory.
For the past six months, families of New Yorkers who have been killed by police have been working hard to urge Gov. Cuomo to enact an executive order to appoint a special prosecutor for all police killings. After the families made several trips to New York’s state capital, led protests, and had a meeting with the Governor, Governor Cuomo announced he will issue the executive order.
But there’s a catch. Gov. Cuomo is now saying the special prosecutor appointment may only last one year and cover a limited set of incidents.
This week, Cuomo's office is finalizing the details of the executive order, but by taking action we can ensure the most effective special prosecutor is put in place. Urge Gov. Cuomo to keep his promise to the families and sign the right executive order for a special prosecutor, with no time limits, full investigatory and prosecutorial powers in all police killings, and adequate resources.
Below is the letter we'll send to Gov. Cuomo on your behalf. You can add a personal comment using the space provided.
Dear Governor Andrew Cuomo,
I am demanding that you sign an executive order authorizing Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to investigate and prosecute police killings of New Yorkers.
Too often, police officers motivated by racial stereotypes kill Black New Yorkers and are never held accountable, which sends a dangerous message that condones future violence. You now have an opportunity to change that.
Shortly after the news that there would be no indictment for the officers who killed Eric Garner, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman requested that you grant him immediate authority to investigate and prosecute police killings of citizens. By signing the executive order you could address the deep public anger and steeply eroding trust in the state's justice system. Your proposal to create an independent monitor with the power to recommend a special prosecutor whom you appoint is counterproductive and doesn't go nearly far enough to address the historical failure of local prosecutors to hold police officers accountable when civilians are killed.
The truth is, while people across the state continue to express outrage over a Staten Island grand jury's failure to hold any of Eric Garner's killers accountable, this case isn't unique. When officers kill, they are rarely held fully accountable by local prosecutors, who are focused on maintaining collegial relationships with officers and the police union than actually securing justice for a Black or Brown victim. This has to stop.
By holding killer cops accountable for their deadly actions, you can set an example for the rest of the country and send a strong message to law enforcement across the state that your office will protect our community against racial profiling and senseless police violence, especially when local or state prosecutors fail to do so.
I urge you to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system by acting on Attorney General Schneiderman's request to appoint him as a special prosecutor in future cases that involve a police officer's actions leading to the death of a civilian.
Sincerely,
[your name]