S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1010
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 10, 2017
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Introduced by M. of A. GANTT -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Governmental Employees
AN ACT to amend the civil service law, in relation to internal investi-
gative standards and practices for police officers
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The civil service law is amended by adding a new section
204-b to read as follows:
§ 204-B. INTERNAL INVESTIGATIVE STANDARDS AND PRACTICES FOR POLICE
OFFICERS. 1. THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT THE CONDUCT
AND COMPETENCE OF POLICE OFFICERS ARE MATTERS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO
PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE AND TO THE MAINTENANCE OF CIVIL SOCIETY.
THESE MATTERS ARE EFFECTED WITH THE HIGHEST PUBLIC INTEREST.
2. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISION OF LAW, THE FOLLOWING
PROCEDURES SHALL APPLY TO INVESTIGATIONS OF THE CONDUCT OF A POLICE
OFFICER BY ANY POLICE AGENCY, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY CONTRARY PROVISION OF
ANY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. ANY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
OR PORTION THEREOF INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION IS
HEREBY DECLARED TO BE VOID AS AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY.
3. ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THE CONDUCT OF A POLICE OFFICER SHALL BE
CONDUCTED AS FOLLOWS:
(A) QUESTIONING AND INVESTIGATION OF OFFICERS SHALL COMMENCE IMME-
DIATELY UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CAUSE THEREFOR;
(B) WHENEVER MORE THAN ONE OFFICER IS TO BE INVESTIGATED OR QUES-
TIONED, ALL OF THE INVOLVED OFFICERS SHALL BE QUESTIONED SEPARATELY;
(C) NO PRELIMINARY OR UNOFFICIAL STATEMENTS SHALL BE TAKEN;
(D) ALL STATEMENTS SHALL BE RECORDED VERBATIM; AND
(E) QUESTIONING AND INVESTIGATION OF NON-OFFICER WITNESSES SHALL
COMMENCE IMMEDIATELY UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CAUSE THEREFOR.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02044-01-7