NEW YORK, NY (August 18, 2020) – On Friday, August 14th, the Members of the Caucus submitted an amicus curiae brief in support of Communities United for Police Reform’s (CPR) motion to intervene in the 50-a litigation between law enforcement unions and New York City.

In June, the Caucus led the effort in Albany to repeal Civil Rights Law § 50-a, which shielded the disciplinary records of law enforcement officers. In response, various law enforcement unions sued New York City in federal court to block the release of these disciplinary records. The unions won a temporary restraining order against the release of the records, and the court is revisiting the matter at an injunction hearing scheduled for today.

Throughout the course of deliberating the legislation, the Caucus was assisted by CPR’s advocacy as an organization and coalition representing communities impacted by the lack of police transparency. CPR has a profound and justiciable interest that could be impaired in this litigation absent their intervention, and which the current parties, no matter how sincere their positions, cannot adequately represent. As legislators responsible for the drafting, negotiating, and passing of 50-a, the Caucus seeks to support and advance CPR’s desire to intervene in this litigation, based on their interest and ability to do so.

“This lawsuit is a deliberate attempt to stop the will of the people,” said Senator Jamaal Bailey. “We remain strong and vehemently opposed to any rollback of the repeal of 50-a.”

This amicus curiae brief details the origin of 50-a as a legislative reaction to the civil rights movement, its expansion and interpretation by the courts into a near boundless obstruction on police transparency, and its ultimate repeal. It details the perspectives CPR presented the Legislature, informed and driven by its deep roots in the communities most sorely impacted.

The Caucus’ brief can be found HERE. 

The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus is a seventy-seven member body of state legislators representing a quarter of residents across the State of New York from Long Island, the metro New York City area, to Upstate.