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Judge Gives NYCLU Access to Shooting Reports

By DNAinfo Staff on February 22, 2011 6:48pm

A judge ruled that the NYPD will have to provide the NYCLU with incident reports about police-related shootings.
A judge ruled that the NYPD will have to provide the NYCLU with incident reports about police-related shootings.
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Flickr/Nick.Allen

By Jennifer Glickel

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A Manhattan Supreme Court judge has ordered the NYPD to release all redacted incident reports of police-related shootings, back to 1897, to the New York Civil Liberties Union.

The decision comes after a 2009 lawsuit that the NYCLU filed accusing the NYPD of withholding information about incidents in which police officers have shot civilians.

"Once again, the courts have rejected the NYPD’s pattern of withholding information from the public," said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman.

"Fortunately the number of police shooting incidents is relatively small, but these reports are essential for the public to fully understand and assess the NYPD’s shooting practices. They will help us give New Yorkers the full story on police shootings, not the NYPD's spin."

Under Judge Emily Goodman's ruling, the police department must give the NYCLU initial reports that are filed within 24 hours of a police-related shooting occuring, as well as more detailed reports that are filed within 90 days of an incident.

The City Law Department's senior counsel Jesse Levine responded to the judge's ruling on Tuesday.

"We are pleased that the judge properly recognized the privacy and law enforcement concerns expressed," Levine said. "However, we feel she did not strike the appropriate balance in directing us to provide documents that intertwine both confidential and non-confidential information. We are reviewing the decision and considering our appellate options."

The judge ruled in favor of the City with respect to the NYCLU's request in the lawsuit that the NYPD should turn over documents regarding the role of race in such shooting incidents.