Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out a series of proposals for reforming the state’s criminal justice system, in response to heightened tensions over the death of an unarmed Staten Island resident after an encounter with police, as well as the recent murder of two police officers
The governor laid out a seven-point plan that would allow district attorneys to make grand jury reports public after a police encounter that leads to a civilian death, if the officer is not indicted. Cuomo says in some cases, he would appoint an independent monitor who would then have the power to appoint a special prosecutor in some cases.
Cuomo says people are questioning the justice system, and they need to trust in it again.
“The trust has to go both ways,” Cuomo said. “The community has to respect and trust the police, and the police have to respect and trust the community.”
The governor also calls for bulletproof vests and bulletproof glass windows for police cars, as well as body cameras. And he proposes a statewide reconciliation commission on police and community relations.
