New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea defended his officers after facing criticism that social distancing laws are being enforced disproportionately against black people.
As of last week, the New York City Police Department had issued 368 summonses and 120 arrests related to social distancing laws. Of those encounters, 68% were black, 24% were Hispanic, and nearly 7% were white. A pair of aggressive arrests, including that of a 15-year-old, were filmed and went viral, leading many to accuse the department of racism, with one attorney calling it the “new stop and frisk.”
During a press conference with Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday, Shea defended his officers and pushed back on the narrative that they are racially prejudiced in their enforcement of social distancing laws.
“I will push back strongly on any notion that this is business as usual for the NYPD or that this is quote, unquote, racist policing,” Shea said. “I think this could not be anything further from the truth. Let’s remember, we are a minority-majority police department. Fact: We make fewer arrests than we ever have. Fact: We make fewer summons issued, and that’s whether it’s in a pandemic or not in a pandemic. Our record over the last 6 1/2 years is there for everyone to see in how we police this city with the lightest possible touch.”
“I don’t think anyone would say that we’re racist when we’re delivering food to elderly victims that are shut up in their apartments or when we’re playing with kids and looking for having things to do in summer through parks of this great city, which is going on planning as we speak. Or when we’re visiting the victims of domestic violence or when we’re working with homeless or the mentally ill and bringing them to the hospital,” he added.
Shea acknowledged the disparities in the arrests that have been made but noted that “disparities exist in every facet of life” that are “rooted in much deeper issues than the New York City Police Department.” He also explained that the department was investigating the viral arrest videos.
“Accountability is what we must have from this police department. And I, as the police commissioner, will not stand for excessive force, nor will I stand and defend indefensible actions. But I will also not have my police department called a racist police department,” he said.
De Blasio thanked Shea for his explanation but said the city has “a lot more to do” when addressing policing disparities. He also noted that it was “important to recognize the distance that we have already traveled” when working with the department.
“You made a point about the history that hangs over us. There’s a history of institutional and structural racism that afflicts this city and this country still. We have to weed it out in every way,” the mayor said.
