PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sakeena Trice, Senior Staff Attorney of Disability Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
3:50:45
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119 sec
Sakeena Trice, representing New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, testified on the NYPD's use of stop and frisk and other investigative encounters, focusing on the department's policies regarding mental health emergencies. She criticized the NYPD's involuntary removal policies and practices, arguing for a non-police response to mental health crises.
- Highlighted concerns with NYPD Patrol Guide 22-13, which allows for involuntary transport of individuals experiencing mental health emergencies
- Criticized the current B-HEARD program, noting that over 70% of mental health calls in pilot areas still involve NYPD response
- Called for New York City to remove police from mental health crisis responses and invest in a true non-police response model
Sakeena Trice
3:50:45
Good afternoon.
3:50:46
My name is Sakina Trice.
3:50:47
I'm a senior staff attorney with the disability justice program at the New York Lawyers for the public interest.
3:50:52
Thank you for the opportunity to present my testimony today on the NYPD's use of stop and frisk and other investigative encounters.
3:51:00
Police officers routinely arrest an involuntary transport to a hospital individuals in New York City who are experiencing or proceed to be experiencing mental health emergencies pursuant to NYPD's unlawful involuntary removal policies and practices, specifically patrol guide 22 dash 13.
3:51:18
22 dash 13 on his face and or as applied expands the NYPD's authority to remove people with mental disabilities and involuntarily transport them to psychiatric evaluation even when probable cause for arrest is lacking.
3:51:32
The guide needlessly heightens the risk of harm to people experiencing a mental health crisis and results in unlawful detentions and transport.
3:51:40
The stated purpose of the patrol guide is to provide technical operations, but it does not instruct police on how to respond to the health care needs of a person with mental health concerns who is the subject of a 911 call.
3:51:54
And so, unfortunately, the city's current attempt to offer a non police program, the behavioral health emergency assistance response division program, does not meet the goal of actually offering a non police response.
3:52:08
And so, for example, in fiscal year 2024, more than 70% of all mental health calls in the be heard pilot areas were still directed to the NYPD.
3:52:16
And so we are asking New York City to join other cities across the country to remove police entirely from the equation and ensure that health care workers respond to health care crisis.
3:52:26
The city must establish a system whereby individuals who experience a mental health crisis receive appropriate services, which will deescalate the crisis and which will ensure their well-being and the well-being of all other New Yorkers.
3:52:39
And so we are asking the city to invest in a true non police response model.
3:52:43
Thank you.
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Testimony by Tanesha Grant, Executive Director of Parents Supporting and Parents New York, on Stop and Frisk and Police Practices
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Testimony by Dr. Tawanna Gilford, Cofounder of Universal Stop False Police Reporting Initiative, on Stop and Frisk and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office
