Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester) announced that several new laws he co-sponsored to provide oversight and accountability of police departments will go into effect on April 1st.

“Every person, regardless of the color of their skin, is entitled to safety, dignity, and respect, especially in the eyes of the law. Yet time and time again, we have seen the disgraceful reality that deep-seated and systemic racism thrives in law enforcement institutions. This is an unacceptable injustice that has taken the lives of innocent men and women like Daniel Prude, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless others.” Bronson said. “I join the protesters here in Rochester and the millions of protesters across America who are speaking up against the police officers who have abused their power and the system that enables them. These new laws, I co-sponsored and helped pass, are critical new laws that will help in dismantling these harmful policing practices. “

The new laws taking effect will:

• Establish an Office of Special Investigation within the Attorney General’s Office to investigate incidents resulting in the death of a person caused by an act or omission of a police officer (Ch.95 of 2020);

• Create a new Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office within the Department of Law to investigate allegations of corruption, fraud, use of excessive force, criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in certain law enforcement agencies (Ch. 104 of 2020); and,

• Require for full transparency all police officers to wear body-cameras (Ch. 105 of 2020).

“Black and brown communities have suffered through tremendous anguish and pain over the years. They’ve seen tragic and senseless deaths of community members who have suffered from excessive force at the hands of the police, including the untimely death of Daniel Prude right here in Rochester.” Bronson said. “These new laws will offer our communities the justice and accountability they desperately seek.”