QUESTION
Does the NYPD oppose requirements that lineups be conducted using double blind procedures, and if so, why?
0:43:39
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125 sec
In this discussion, Council Member Yusef Salaam inquires about the NYPD's stance on double blind procedures for conducting lineups, questioning if there is opposition and the reasons behind it. An NYPD representative explains the current practice, emphasizing a significant preference for photo arrays over lineups and indicating openness to dialogue about implementing double blind procedures for lineups, highlighting the common goal of avoiding wrongful convictions.
Yusef Salaam
0:43:39
You know, I wanted to ask as a follow-up in terms of the the testimony that's been given today.
0:43:47
Does the NYPD oppose requirements that lineups be conducted using double blind procedures?
0:43:52
And if so, why?
0:43:54
And are you aware of other jurisdictions?
0:43:56
In New York state and in the country that mandate double blind lineups and re and recording of statements while in police custody.
Josh Levin
0:44:07
Chair, I think your point is very well made.
0:44:11
I just want to talk for a second on lineups.
0:44:14
Just to give some perspective, we did of 6000 cases, 7800 photo arrays in 2023.
0:44:22
Right?
0:44:22
6 thousand cases, 7800 photo arrays in 23.
0:44:26
You compare that with the lineups, 14 cases, 16 lineups.
0:44:33
So as I was explaining, as I was mentioning earlier, the amount of lineups we've done have super plummeted.
0:44:39
Because we believe the double blind standard for a photo array really is, the best practice is for doing it.
0:44:44
And I know we set it in opening statement, but I don't know we're sitting across from each other on different sides of this day.
0:44:49
It's but although we're across from each other, we're on the same page about wrongful convictions.
0:44:54
For every reason that you mentioned, not only because an innocent person goes to jail, but also because someone else is still out there in the community.
0:45:01
So We can step back another year.
0:45:03
We can go to 2022.
0:45:06
57100 cases, 72100 photo arrays.
0:45:10
But when you look at the lineups, 17 cases, 24 lineups.
0:45:16
So those numbers have been steadily diminishing.
0:45:18
I don't know what they're going to look like.
0:45:20
In the future.
0:45:21
But in regards to something like enacting a policy for double blind for line ups, we're always willing to have a conversation.
0:45:27
That's why we are here today.
0:45:28
You want to be able to have an open and engaged dialogue about this.
0:45:31
And so that's certainly something we can bring back, but there's many, many stakeholders that have to weigh in on something like this.
0:45:36
So I can't you know, give an official position, but we can certainly talk about it and bring it back.
0:45:43
I hope that answers the question.