Tag:

Police Reform

Drexel Hill-Upper Darby, PA
News
Mark Dial Sentenced, Immediately Paroled For Killing Eddie Irizarry: DA Slams Outcome Mark Dial Sentenced, Immediately Paroled For Killing Eddie Irizarry: DA Slams Outcome
Mark Dial Sentenced, Immediately Paroled For Killing Eddie Irizarry: DA Slams Outcome Former Philadelphia Police Officer Mark Dial was sentenced to 9½ months to two years in jail on Thursday, July 17 — but walked free moments later, having already served 10 months behind bars. Dial, 29, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in May for fatally shooting 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry during a 2023 traffic stop in Kensington. He was also found guilty of possessing an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person. Charges including third-degree murder and official oppression were either withdrawn or resulted in acquittal. Dial Paroled Immediately Philadelphia Count…

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by Jillian Pikora
Hackensack, NJ
Police & Fire
Hackensack Police Director Ray Guidetti Stepping Down, City Says Hackensack Police Director Ray Guidetti Stepping Down, City Says
Hackensack Police Director Ray Guidetti Stepping Down, City Says Hackensack Police Director Ray Gudietti is stepping down. The City of Hackensack made the announcement on Thursday, March 6. Guidetti said he will step down at the end of March. Guidetti's departure comes after "taking on a culture of corruption that had infected the Hackensack Police Department when he was appointed in 2022, and instituting major reforms with the goal of bringing the Department back to its rightful position as a premier law enforcement agency in Bergen County," the release says. Guidetti was appointed "after a storied law enforcement career to clean up a police department…

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by Cecilia Levine
Yonkers, NY
News
Federal Oversight Ends For Yonkers Police Department After Major Reforms Federal Oversight Ends For Yonkers Police Department After Major Reforms
Federal Oversight Ends For Yonkers Police Department After Major Reforms A police department in Westchester has implemented enough major reforms to result in the conclusion of federal oversight after years of monitoring, officials announced. In an announcement on Tuesday, Dec. 3, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York revealed that oversight of the Yonkers Police Department has officially ended following significant reforms made to improve its policies, training, and community engagement. The federal oversight originally stemmed from an investigation that began in 2007 and a subsequent agreement in November 2016 aimed at address…

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by Ben Crnic
Trenton, NJ
News
'Unconstitutional:' Feds Slam Trenton Police For Excessive Force, Illegal Stops 'Unconstitutional:' Feds Slam Trenton Police For Excessive Force, Illegal Stops
'Unconstitutional:' Feds Slam Trenton Police For Excessive Force, Illegal Stops Federal investigators have accused the Trenton Police Department (TPD) of widespread civil rights violations, including excessive force and illegal arrests, calling the department’s practices “unconstitutional” in a damning report released Thursday, Nov. 21. The Department of Justice (DOJ) found that TPD officers routinely stopped and searched individuals without reasonable suspicion, made arrests without probable cause, and escalated encounters with excessive force.  These practices, compounded by poor training, inadequate oversight, and a lack of accountability, have eroded community…

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by Cecilia Levine
Bristol, PA
News
Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw Stepping Down Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw Stepping Down
Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw Stepping Down Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw is resigning her post, said Mayor Jim Kenney in a statement early Tuesday, Sept. 4.  Effective after Friday, Sept. 22, Outlaw will leave PPD to start in a leadership position with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, officials said.  “Commissioner Outlaw has worked relentlessly for three and a half years during an unprecedented era in our city and a number of crisis situations, and she deserves praise for her commitment to bring long-overdue reform to the Department after years of racism and gender discrimination prior to …

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by Mac Bullock
Paterson, NJ
News
'No Safety Without Trust': AG Takes Over Paterson PD, Pledges Changes In Mental Crisis Policing 'No Safety Without Trust': AG Takes Over Paterson PD, Pledges Changes In Mental Crisis Policing
'No Safety Without Trust': AG Takes Over Paterson PD, Pledges Changes In Mental Crisis Policing “There is no safety without trust,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in announcing a state takeover of the day-to-day operations of the Paterson Police Department and plans to include mental health professionals in responses to barricaded individuals there and statewide. Experience has shown that both moves are absolutely necessary at the moment, the state’s top law enforcement officer said. “There is a crisis of confidence in law enforcement in this city,” Platkin said, speaking outside the Frank X. Graves Jr. Public Safety Complex on Broadway on March 27. “Under these ci…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Towson, MD
News
Anton Black's Family Reaches $5 Million Settlement Anton Black's Family Reaches $5 Million Settlement
Anton Black's Family Reaches $5 Million Settlement Three small towns in Maryland will pay $5 million to the parents of 19-year-old Anton Black, who died during a 2018 police encounter, and must implement new policing policies and use-of-force training, following a two-year legal battle. The suit was filed against the towns of Greensboro, Ridgely and Centreville, along with the state medical examiner's office, two police officers and their two police chiefs. In addition to the $5 million, the settlement requires policing changes to prevent deaths similar to Black's.  The landmark settlement in the suit was filed by Black's parents and …

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by Cecilia Levine
Towson, MD
News
BPD Commissioner Announced As Phoenix Police Department's Interim Chief Of Police BPD Commissioner Announced As Phoenix Police Department's Interim Chief Of Police
BPD Commissioner Announced As Phoenix Police Department's Interim Chief Of Police A Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner has been selected to serve as the new interim chief of the Phoenix Police Department, authorities say. Michael Sullivan will start the 1-2 year assignment with the Phoenix Police Department on Sept. 12 while Phoenix conducts a nationwide search for a permanent police chief, according to Phoenix City Manager Jeff Barton. “Sullivan brings 27 years of law enforcement experience to the table, and he has led police reform efforts for major cities. His experience working in collaboration with communities, the DOJ, federal court and more gives me confidence h…

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by Annie DeVoe
Gaithersburg, MD
News
Officers Will Not Be Charged In Fatal Shooting Of Ryan LeRoux: Report Officers Will Not Be Charged In Fatal Shooting Of Ryan LeRoux: Report
Officers Will Not Be Charged In Fatal Shooting Of Ryan LeRoux: Report Four Montgomery County Police officers who fatally shot a 21-year-old man outside a Gaithersburg McDonald’s last year will not be charged, the Montgomery County State Attorney's office said on Monday, April 4. Howard County prosecutors called the shooting "legally justified" based on the victim's actions, Bethesda Magazine reports. Later that week, the family of Ryan LeRoux filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against the county and the four officers who shot their son, the outlet reports.   The lawsuit claims the responding officers neglected to acknowledge LeRoux's battle with m…

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by David Cifarelli
Pittsfield, MA
Police & Fire
All Massachusetts State Troopers Now Assigned Body Cameras, Police Announce All Massachusetts State Troopers Now Assigned Body Cameras, Police Announce
All Massachusetts State Troopers Now Assigned Body Cameras, Police Announce Massachusetts State Police announced that all sworn members across every division have been assigned body cameras and trained to operate them. State Police said on Thursday, Dec. 16 that its 2,215 troopers were assigned the cameras as part of a program from a series of reforms that were introduced in April of 2018. The department's implementation of a cruiser camera program is also nearly complete, State Police said. “Our camera program assists in accurate documentation of Troopers’ interactions with suspects, victims, and members of the public,” said Col. Christopher Mason, superintendent…

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by Nicole Valinote
Brentwood, NY
News
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart To Resign Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart To Resign
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart To Resign Suffolk County's top cop has announced she is stepping down to take a new job. Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart announced Wednesday, April 14, that she is stepping down after three years on the job to become the director of public safety at Hofstra University. Hart, the first-ever woman to lead the Suffolk Police Department, took over just three years ago when the 2,500-member force was in a state of turmoil following a series of corruption scandals. She also faced a rise in MS-13 street violence and murders and the effects of the opioid epidemic. Hart, who worked for the FBI fo…

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by Kathy Reakes
Tarrytown-SleepyHollow, NY
Police & Fire
Details Released On Investigation Prompted By Suspensions Of Police Officers Details Released On Investigation Prompted By Suspensions Of Police Officers
Details Released On Investigation Prompted By Suspensions Of Police Officers The internal investigation into police corruption and misconduct within a Westchester police department led to the suspension of narcotics officers who allegedly aided a known drug dealer and used excessive force. Last July, the Mount Vernon Police Department received audiotapes from an officer who alleged wrongdoing in the Narcotics Squad, which were then sent to the Westchester County District Attorney’s office for further investigation. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said on Thursday, Feb. 18 that at the direction of Police Commissioner Glenn Scott, the department transcribed…

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by Zak Failla
Newark, NJ
Police & Fire
Longtime Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose To Retire Longtime Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose To Retire
Longtime Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose To Retire Longtime Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose will retire in March after 34 years on the force. Ambrose's final day in the division will be on March 31, Mayor Ras J. Baraka said. “When I appointed Director Ambrose as Public Safety Director, I knew that his leadership, work ethic, integrity and love for our city is what we needed to fulfill my vision of combining police, fire, and emergency management into one department,” Baraka said. “His service to the City of Newark has been paramount. I appreciate all that he has given, and I hope for nothing but the best in his retirement…

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by Cecilia Levine
Newark, NJ
News
Outgoing U.S. Attorney For NJ Praises Work Of Newark Public Safety Director Outgoing U.S. Attorney For NJ Praises Work Of Newark Public Safety Director
Outgoing U.S. Attorney For NJ Praises Work Of Newark Public Safety Director On his final day as the top federal law enforcer in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito took time to praise Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, calling him a "national treasure." Carpenito cited Ambrose's "exceptional contributions to cooperative law enforcement" in New Jersey. “Through his leadership, we have benefited from an unprecedented level of cooperation and proactive participation in our efforts to suppress crime in the great city of Newark," the U.S. attorney said from his office in Newark. Over the past five years, he said, Ambrose has "transformed the Newark…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Hyde Park, NY
Politics
2021 Dutchess Budget Proposal Reduces Spending With No Layoffs Or Tax Increase 2021 Dutchess Budget Proposal Reduces Spending With No Layoffs Or Tax Increase
2021 Dutchess Budget Proposal Reduces Spending With No Layoffs Or Tax Increase Dutchess County's proposed 2021 budget reduced spending by 3.6 percent, or $18.6 million, with no employee layoffs or tax increases, according to County Executive Marc Molinaro.  The $501,832,097 budget, said the release, maintains county services and programs, includes new initiatives to address homelessness and housing, and includes funding for senior services, infrastructure improvements, county parks, mental health services and even police reform measures.  The government's savings were reportedly achieved by reducing the county property tax levy for the seventh consecutive ye…

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by Christina Coulter
Hyde Park, NY
News
Police Reform Moves Forward In Dutchess County Police Reform Moves Forward In Dutchess County
Police Reform Moves Forward In Dutchess County Emergency mental health services will be expanded in Dutchess County, while Sheriff's Deputies will be assigned and mandated to use body cameras and take mandated implicit bias and procedural justice training per County Executive Mark Molinaro's 2021 executive budget. “We have a duty here in our community to strengthen what works, fix what is broken, and come together to build a safer and freer home for all," said Molinaro of the measures toward police reform in the 2021 budget.  "Despite the challenges 2020 has presented us, my Executive Budget enhances our County’s mental health…

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by Christina Coulter
Jersey City, NJ
Police & Fire
Use Of Force By Jersey City Police Breaking Up Massive Street Fight Deemed Justified Use Of Force By Jersey City Police Breaking Up Massive Street Fight Deemed Justified
Use Of Force By Jersey City Police Breaking Up Massive Street Fight Deemed Justified The use of force by Jersey City police officers breaking up a massive street fight in May has been deemed justified, authorities in Hudson County announced Wednesday. Multiple 9-1-1 callers reported 20 to 100 people screaming, punching and kicking in a street fight that broke out on Bostwick Avenue between  Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Ocean Avenue just after 5:15 p.m. on May 5, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. This incident that quickly went viral on social media occurred during the Executive Order signed by Gov. Phil Murphy that required people to stay home and socia…

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by Cecilia Levine
Massapequa, NY
News
New Guidance For Reforms Issued To 500 NY Jurisdictions With Police Departments New Guidance For Reforms Issued To 500 NY Jurisdictions With Police Departments
New Guidance For Reforms Issued To 500 NY Jurisdictions With Police Departments With shootings and other crimes spiking during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing for police reform throughout the state. Cuomo announced on Monday, Aug. 17 that he was sending a letter to 500 jurisdictions with police departments imploring them to work with the community on reforming police departments in the wake of George Floyd's murder. Calling the tension between police and members of the community “real and out there,” Cuomo offered a framework and topics for consideration by local police departments, elected officials and citize…

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by Zak Failla
Torrington, CT
News
CT Senate Approves Police Reform Bill CT Senate Approves Police Reform Bill
CT Senate Approves Police Reform Bill Much to the chagrin of some in law enforcement, the Connecticut State Senate voted to pass a police reform bill. After a contentious debate, lawmakers passed the controversial bill by a 21 to 15 vote that will increase transparency and accountability for police in Connecticut, including a new inspector general who will be tasked with investigating police-involved shootings. The bill also includes the requirement that officers wear body cameras and police cruisers are outfitted with dashboard cameras. Disciplinary records will also now be available for public review. With the bill passed in…

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by Zak Failla
Torrington, CT
Politics
Lamont Order Bans Chokeholds, Tells CT State Police To Stop Acquiring Surplus US Military Gear Lamont Order Bans Chokeholds, Tells CT State Police To Stop Acquiring Surplus US Military Gear
Lamont Order Bans Chokeholds, Tells CT State Police To Stop Acquiring Surplus US Military Gear Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed a new executive order that includes sweeping police reform statewide. On Monday, June 15, Lamont announced that he was signing an executive order “on police use of force and accountability,” in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. The order includes the ban of chokeholds, police departments have been barred from acquiring surplus military gear from the federal government, and each state police troop will now be required to have a dedicated community liaison. “The Constitution of the State of Connecticut guarantees every person equal protect…

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by Zak Failla
White Plains, NY
News
Local Police Departments Throughout NY Must Implement These Reforms, Cuomo Executive Order Says Local Police Departments Throughout NY Must Implement These Reforms, Cuomo Executive Order Says
Local Police Departments Throughout NY Must Implement These Reforms, Cuomo Executive Order Says Law enforcement agencies throughout New York State are being required by Executive Order to “reform and reinvent” the way they police while collaborating with their communities amid civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an Executive Order on Friday, June 12 that will require the state's more than 500 local and county police agencies to develop a plan “that reinvents and modernizes police strategies and programs in their community based on community input.” If communities don’t comply, Cuomo said that those police departments will…

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by Zak Failla
White Plains, NY
Politics
Working Group Formed To Review Police Procedures, Policies In Westchester Working Group Formed To Review Police Procedures, Policies In Westchester
Working Group Formed To Review Police Procedures, Policies In Westchester In the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a working group is being formed to review Westchester County Police policies. Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced that a group of prominent county leaders and officials would form the working group to evaluate police processes and procedures as protests continue to erupt around the country. The working group already includes Westchester County Police Commissioner Thomas Gleason, Deputy Police Commissioner Terrance Raynor, some county residents, as well as Mayo Bartlett and Leroy Frazier, prominent African American la…

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by Zak Failla