New York, NY – The Members of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus are incensed over the continuous displays of disproportionate violence by law enforcement in communities of color in New York City, State, and across the country. At a time when government’s priority to keep all residents safe could not be any higher, we are witnessing more and more examples of the dehumanization of Black bodies by those sworn to serve and protect.

As elected officials who represent millions across the state, we are on the frontlines of our communities working to ensure New Yorkers are receiving the help and resources they need to weather the COVID-19 pandemic safely. We are coordinating the delivery of supplies, sharing valuable information, and encouraging safety measures – like social distancing – that will help us all. In doing so, we each do our part to instill confidence and trust in government. However, several recent reported incidents demonstrate how even a few mishandled interactions between police and members of the community can erode trust to the point of no return.

The videos and accounts of the Manhattan arrest involving Officer Francisco Garcia on May 2nd, and the Brooklyn arrests on May 2nd and 4th, may be just a few of the “hundreds and hundreds of [police] encounters every day,” as stated by NYC Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, but they are the exact type of interactions that demonstrate disparate treatment towards people of color – a tale of two cities, one might call it – and specifically Black men who are historic targets of excessive force across the country. Elsewhere in New York City, police officers have been seen passing out masks to those without and issuing verbal warnings to predominantly white crowds gathered in public spaces; and officers even accompanied the Mayor to break up and de-escalate at least one large gathering at a Jewish funeral in Brooklyn that did not result in physical violence.

As the New York Police Department is heralded as the finest in the country, there is no excuse for any police encounter that does not demonstrate the highest standards in de-escalation techniques. If new training is necessary, we call on Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner Shea to implement it. If the retraining of certain officers is needed, we expect to see it. And if a thorough investigation of the facts of each of these incidents reveal what clearly appear to be unnecessary and excessive uses of physical force, we expect to see all officers involved being held accountable (up to and including removal from the force and indictment) for their actions against members of our community, as well as the bond of trust needed between law enforcement and the public.