Almost 200 NYPD officers got caught lying during disciplinary board proceedings for harassment, brutalizing civilians, and other forms of misconduct. But even after they got exposed for lying, most of them were NOT disciplined!
The CCRB, or Civilian Complaint Review Board, is how New Yorkers file complaints against police. The records only became public in 2021, and the CCRB itself only substantiates 7.5% of them. From that, the NYPD only disciplines 3.5% of those officers!
For example, during 2020 protests, the CCRB received over 300 complaints against officers. The CCRB recommended the highest level of discipline for dozens of officers – many of whom were already hard to identify because they were covering their names and misusing bodycams.
Still, the NYPD is already starting to waive their discipline! But, of course it isn’t just NYC.
Other areas, like DC and Atlanta, have established their own civilian review boards, but if cops are going to lie anyways, what's the point of this type of reform?
Here’s the truth: policing as a SYSTEM encourages lying at our expense. So how can we reform it if police don't want, and cannot be forced, to actually change?
We can’t force police to take accountability for their actions – because that would mean they'd have to care enough to be honest first.