The New York City Council has approved a veto-proof pair of bills aimed at increasing oversight of the Police Department and expanding New Yorkers’ ability to sue over bias-based profiling by officers. The two bills, known together as the Community Safety Act, are supported by those seek to change the Police Department’s stop-and-frisk program. However, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, have warned that the measures would lead to dangerous increases in crime. One bill, known as Intro 1079, would create an independent inspector general to monitor police policy, conduct investigations and recommend changes to the department. The other measure, Intro 1080, would expand the definition of bias-based profiling to include age, gender, housing status and sexual orientation. Intro 1080 would also allow individuals to sue the Police Department for policies that disproportionately affect people in any protected categories but do not serve a significant law enforcement goal. Both measures passed the 51-member Council with the votes required to override a mayoral veto. To read more, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/27/nyregion/new-york-city-council-votes-to-increase-oversight-of-police-dept.html?hp&_r=1&
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