Poll: Do you support the Right to Know Act?
At a time when the entire nation is gripped by the tragic killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police officers in Louisiana and Minnesota, and the subsequent sniper attacks on police officers in Dallas, many Americans are pressing for legislative action to put an end to what many see as an epidemic of police brutality and violence against communities of color.
As recently as Friday morning, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who dealt with aggressive backlash from NYPD officers and police unions in the wake of his statements about the death of Staten Island Eric Garner at the hands of a police officer in 2014, pointed to the NYPD as a national model for departments across the country. He referred specifically to the retraining of the NYPD on how to de-escalate situations, and his community policing program.
However, there are two bills stalled in the City Council that de Blasio has so far declined to give his full-throated support. The Right to Know Act, sponsored by Council members Ritchie Torres and Antonio Reynoso, are two separate bills aimed at increasing accountability in the police department.
The first bill would require police officers to identify themselves and explain why they stopped an individual at the end of any interaction that didn’t end with an arrest or summons. The second bill addresses searches without warrants: Police officers would be required to inform individuals that it was their right to withdraw or deny consent to a search.
One of the primary obstacles to getting these bills passed is the lack of support from Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, who deemed them unnecessary. But police reform advocates say that the bills would help prevent unlawful stops that could lead to tragic encounters.
While the bills may not have the support of the mayor, police commissioner or City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, we want to let our readers have a say. Click on the poll below and tell us whether you support the Right to Know Act.