No money was exchanged, but both parties agreed to a meeting to discuss changes to police policy regarding the mentally ill.
Even the mayor's usual supporters, such as Melissa Mark-Viverito, the city-council speaker, admitted that they were "disappointed" that the police were passed over.Mr de Blasio has pushed back, arguing that crime in the city is low and his changes to police policy, such as better training and fewer arrests for marijuana-related crimes, remove the need for more officers.
Peter Zimroth, a one-time city lawyer and a former chief assistant district attorney, was named as the monitor, tasked with making sure adequate changes are made to the policing policy.
After the 2013 police shooting of Jonathan Ferrell, the 24-year-old unarmed black man, SAFE worked with Charlotte police and the City Council to change police policy, pushing for more oversight, police body cameras and officer training in conflict de-escalation and implicit bias.
The lawsuit, which is still ongoing, asks the court to order the city to make changes in police policies to prevent similar situations.
The changes in police policy, however, could bear greater fruit.
Even with these attacks coming from all directions, an increased focus on proactive strategies for meaningful change around policing policies must remain front of mind especially given Sessions' announcement.
Page A12 National A CHANGE IN POLICE POLICY HAS IMMIGRANTS HOPING Los Angeles's decision to stop impounding the cars of all unlicensed drivers has heartened supporters of legislation granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
Judge Henderson ordered the police chief, Howard Jordan, to begin consulting court-appointed monitors before making major changes to policies or tactics.
