It’s been nearly a week since a video was taken showing NYPD detectives punching a man inside a Gowanus liquor store, a man police later admitted had nothing to do with the drug sale they were investigating.
On Monday, activists sat down with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to push for accountability.
What You Need To Know
On Monday, activists sat down with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to push for accountability following a use of force incident in Brooklyn
The commissioner announced the department is launching a 90-day review of its entire narcotics division, covering policy, training, oversight and equipment
Meanwhile, the officers seen in last week’s incident are still on modified duty, with both their badges and guns removed as this investigation plays out
“The officers should be suspended because why is it taking the investigation so long?” activist Kevin McCall said.
The commissioner announced the department is launching a 90-day review of its entire narcotics division, covering policy, training, oversight and equipment.
Among the changes, clarifying when detectives must activate body cameras during buy and bust operations.
“We need the apprehension team to be able to have body cams so you can have some type of justification for you using that particular force,” McCall said.
The NYPD says the narcotics team tied to this incident has already been disbanded, with supervisors and detectives reassigned.
The department says all of this was in the works before Monday’s meeting.
The Detectives Endowment Association is standing by its earlier statement defending its officers.
“We have to get these bad officers, these bad actors, off the police force,” activist and mother of Eric Garner, Gwen Carr, said. “We need these officers to stand accountable. We need transparency.”
McCall also pointed to a separate incident over the weekend: a video from the South Bronx.
“Where an officer is seen punching a man right in front of a sergeant… I told her, ‘You have to do something,’” McCall said.
NYPD sources tell NY1 officers repeatedly asked the group to show ID after spotting them drinking with open containers.
When one refused, resisting arrest and then pulling out taser prongs, officers escalated to physical force.
The source says officers were used due diligence.
Meanwhile, the detectives seen in last week’s incident are still on modified duty, with both their badges and guns removed as this investigation plays out.