Name: Assembly leader says state legislature will repeal police privacy law today
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Assembly leader says state legislature will repeal police privacy law today

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© 2022 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association140 Lower TerraceBuffalo, NY 14202Mailing Address: Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263 Buffalo, NY 14240-1263Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040Your NPR StationPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsFor almost half a century, of a New York state law sealed personnel information about police officers, firefighters and corrections officers. Some of it is truly personal: home address, family information, even data about a police officer who might once have had substance problems. That information may become public Monday, with state legislators and Gov. Andrew Cuomo planning to repeal that legal provision of the Civil Service Law and open up information.What is really at issue are the records about complaints made about officers, particularly by civilians about official violence. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said it is only a problem for officers who break the rules."Every officer that is operating in the State of New York has the ability to follow police procedures, to follow the training that they have been given and to make sure they treat every person they come into contact humanely and professionally," Brown said.Police unions pushed for the law and have fought its repeal. Their big claim is that it will open up officers to people who want their addresses and that family information for whatever purpose.Buffalo Police Benevolent Association trial counsel Thomas Burton said there are reasons why the information is secret."For obvious reasons, there has to be protections if certain officers, let's say, have arrested a real bad guy who threatens their family, of course, for undercover officers, and it goes on and on," Burton said, "and that's the primary reason for that statute that was passed years ago."Many criminal justice advocates have said the issue is only those discipline records, so the public can help force out officers who are bad actors on the street. The information can surface in court cases, where a judge can release it, particularly in federal courts. Removing an officer is usually contingent on the rules in a union contract and removals under that can be fought in court.However, State Assembly Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said the law will be changed -- and for good reason."This guy in Minnesota, you try to take him to court, they are going to bring up everything about Floyd, everything about his background. They are going to bring up everything about the people who was in the car with him, 'cause there were three other people with him. They're going to bring up everything about them. You're not going to be able to find not one thing about the officer because it's sealed. You can't even see it," she said.Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.NOW PLAYINGProud Sponsor of WBFO NPRFollow WBFO On Social MediaThe racist shooting at Tops has renewed the spotlight on right-wing extremism across the country. So what does right-wing extremism look like here in Western New York? And what does the local far-right have to say about their ideology?In the wake of Buffalo's recent tragedy on the east side, WBFO brings you a program that unapologetically confronts what led to the shooting.Get the latest news and those driveway moments delivered directly to your inbox every weekday morning by signing up for the WBFO Newsletter: The WBFO Daily.We are looking for original bands with roots in Western New York and Southern Ontario to feature on our station.Thinking about selling your car, boat, motorcycle, truck or other vehicle? Donate it to WBFO instead.Related Content

© 2022 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association140 Lower TerraceBuffalo, NY 14202Mailing Address: Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263 Buffalo, NY 14240-1263Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040Your NPR StationPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsFor almost half a century, of a New York state law sealed personnel information about police officers, firefighters and corrections officers. Some of it is truly personal: home address, family information, even data about a police officer who might once have had substance problems. That...

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Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. He also hosts “You and the Law,” a popular segment that involves interviews with local lawyers. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.

https://news.wbfo.org/people/mike-desmond

Mike Desmond

WBFO-FM 88.7 is Buffalo’s leading radio provider of local and regional news, along with national and international coverage from NPR and the BBC .

Assembly leader says state legislature will repeal police privacy law today

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