Log in Subscribe

Legislation would close loopholes cited by cops when declining release of records

BY RICHARD KHAVKINE richardk@thechiefleader.com
Posted 4/29/22
Just over a year ago, following protracted court battles, the disciplinary records of tens of thousands of past and current police officers, firefighters and correction officers were released and posted online. 

The public postings sprung from the state Legislature’s repeal in 2020 of a section of state Civil Rights Law known as 50-a that city and state officials for years cited to deny access to uniformed officers’ disciplinary records.

But some law-enforcement agencies are refusing to release documents, arguing that doing so would compromise ongoing investigations or that records created before the law’s repeal are not subject to disclosure. Some have also denied access by saying that the records were compiled with the understanding that they would never be released.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in