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TESTIMONY
Testimony by Abdul Nasser Rad from Campaign Zero on data supporting CCRB reform
2:07:19
·
3 min
Abdul Nasser Rad from Campaign Zero provides data analysis supporting CCRB reform.
He states that despite investigations and past reforms like the disciplinary matrix, the rate of NYPD imposing discipline following CCRB complaints remains below 2%, consistent with data from 2000-2020.
Rad argues this demonstrates structural issues, including lack of final authority and data access barriers (like NYPD citing statute of limitations), preventing meaningful accountability despite a high volume of complaints.
Abdul Nasser Rad
2:07:19
Good evening, commissioners.
2:07:20
How's everyone holding up?
2:07:21
Well.
2:07:22
Love that.
2:07:23
Okay.
2:07:23
Well, thank you for the opportunity to satisfy an issue that's been important to me as both a lifelong New Yorker and as someone who's devoted their career to working on public safety and police reinvention.
2:07:35
My name is Abdul Nasser Rad, and I serve as the managing director for research and data at Campaign Zero.
2:07:41
Publicly available data makes one thing unmistakably clear.
2:07:45
The CCRB is currently structured the way the CCRB is currently structured cannot hold the NYPD accountable.
2:07:53
Before I discuss the data underscoring the issues crippling the CCRB, I wanna provide some information on my background and experiences I've had as an applied public safety researcher in both government and nonprofit sectors.
2:08:06
In government, I worked at the New York City mayor's of office of criminal justice up until 2021, where I managed several research portfolios, including the New York City office of neighborhood safety and the beginning of the police reinvention and implementation task force.
2:08:21
In the nonprofit sector, I was a public safety researcher at the Vera Institute, where I advise law enforcement agencies across The US through Department of Justice grants on comprehensive efforts to improve safety.
2:08:33
And relevant to this conversation is my doctoral research at the University of Oxford focused on police violence and accountability.
2:08:40
My colleagues spoke a little bit about the policy recommendations.
2:08:44
I'm here to talk a little bit more about the why and the data behind it.
2:08:47
So from February to 2020, despite investigating over 180,000 complaints, fewer than two percent resulted in any NYPD discipline.
2:08:57
In 2021, the NYPD enacted changes that would ensure, quote, ensure greater transparency around the disciplinary process, most notably the strengthening of the disciplinary matrix and making this disciplinary matrix public.
2:09:11
The theory being that transparency in the commissioner's decision complying or not complying with the matrix would improve accountability.
2:09:19
Despite the changes, the 2024 c r CCRB data renders a disturbing image that proves reforms were meaningless.
2:09:26
2024 CCRB data showed that NYPD administered discipline in fewer than two percent of cases.
2:09:33
No real difference from 2,000 to twenty twenty.
2:09:36
Without granting power to CCRB to both fully investigate and make disciplinary recommendations final, there will be no real accountability or transparency.
2:09:44
In 2024, CCRB substantiated 1,057 cases of misconduct.
2:09:49
The NYPD declined to act, as my colleague mentioned, in 08/1990 of them, often citing timing issues tied to the statutes of limitations.
2:09:57
These outcomes are not the result of a lack of misconduct.
2:10:00
The CCRB received 12,698 complaints alleging police misconduct in 2024, the highest volume since 2012, yet systemic barriers continue to prevent meaningful accountability.
2:10:11
They reflect structural deficiencies that inhibit independent oversight.
2:10:16
I would request just, maybe fifteen to thirty more seconds if that's alright.
2:10:20
Thank you, commissioners.
2:10:22
Delayed access to critical evidence, a lack of final disciplinary authority, and governance structures that expose the CCRB to political influence all contribute to a system where accountability is the exception rather than the rule.
2:10:34
These persistent failures highlight why targeted reforms are urgent needed urgently needed.
2:10:39
Expanding the size of CCRB, linear limiting the interim chair's term, and providing direct access, as my colleague mentioned, are all critical.
2:10:48
The broader data environment continues to reinforce the same theory.
2:10:50
Oversight without real power is oversight and name only.
2:10:54
Today, the Charter Review Commission has an opportunity to strengthen accountability and ensure that the CCRB becomes an institution capable of delivering the accountability New Yorkers deserve.
2:11:05
Thank you.