New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office says it is reviewing Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s proposal to grant his office the authority to investigate deaths of unarmed civilians caused by police officers.
The state’s Executive Law empowers the Governor to direct the Attorney General to investigate police killings of unarmed civilians in the line of duty. It also provides for the governor to designate a special prosecutor within the attorney general’s office to investigate such matters, a measure championed by Senate Democrats, who introduced a bill that would provide funding through the state budget for such an office.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, Cuomo spokeswoman Melissa DeRosa reiterated the governor’s plans to push criminal justice reforms in the wake of a Staten Island grand jury not indicting a police officer, whose chokehold led to the death of Eric Garner.
“When people begin to lose faith in the criminal justice system, reform must follow,” DeRosa said in a statement. “As the Governor said, meaningful change will require thoughtful dialogue and a real top to bottom review with criminal justice experts, community stakeholders, and police, prosecutorial and judicial representatives. We are reviewing the Attorney General’s proposal as we pursue this broader approach that seeks to ensure equality and fairness in our justice system.”
Schneiderman earlier today sent a letter to Cuomo requesting the authority to probe police-related deaths of unarmed civilians. The request would not impact the Garner case, which is under federal review as well as an internal investigation by the NYPD.
CLICK HERE to read the letter.
Schneiderman, in unveiling the request, was joined by a host of liberal New York City elected officials, including city Comptroller Scott Stringer and Public Advocate Letitia James.
Cuomo has said he will push for changes to grand jury procedures following the non-indictment, as well as more police training as well as requiring some officers to wear body cameras.
In other instances, Schneiderman has sought authority from Cuomo’s office with little success, including an effort to gain more power to fight public corruption.
Cuomo, meanwhile, has been seen as having consolidated power in the executive chamber, going as far as having a financial regulator assert the role typically seen as reserved for the attorney general.
New Jersey has a similar program, using special prosecutors and investigators, for these types of cases.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!
Michael H. Drucker
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