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Q&A
Concerns about NYPD officer morale and recruitment challenges
2:25:44
ยท
81 sec
Council Member Ariola raises concerns about the demoralization of NYPD officers and the significant decrease in applications to become police officers. She highlights issues such as the lack of qualified immunity and potential personal liability for officers as major deterrents to recruitment.
- Ariola mentions that officers can now be personally sued for their actions
- She cites a proposed bill related to the gang database that could hold officers personally liable
- The council member questions who would want to become an officer under these conditions, risking their financial stability, home, family, and possibly freedom
Joann Ariola
2:25:44
I agree with you that a lot of the the problems that we're seeing are because we have officers that are being demoralized.
2:25:54
And we although and I also agree with you on the incentives that you have put forth because we do need more cops to come in and take our test.
2:26:02
Look, there's been a significant decrease in men and women applying to become officers.
2:26:11
So why is that?
2:26:13
It's because they now lack qualified immunity.
2:26:17
So everything would if they do anything, it can be personally held against them.
2:26:21
They can be personally sued.
2:26:24
With, my colleague spoke about the gang database.
2:26:26
Part of that bill has an a line in it that says if an NYPD officer or member goes to that gang database, they will be held personally liable.
2:26:38
Who would want to become an officer knowing that they could be personally liable for their financial stability, their home, their family, and possibly their freedom?
2:26:49
So that's a problem.
2:26:50
When you go up to Albany and speak with the legislators about discovery laws and and turnstile justice and all of the things that we've been asking to be amended, what is their answer to you?