A Tale of Two Cities: Documenting Racial Disparities in the NYPD Policing Practices and Procedures

• In Event: The Legacy of Racialized Policing Policy and Practices within the New York Police Department

Abstract

In 2021, the New York City Council passed the Council Resolution on Police Reform, an initiative that outlines steps towards confronting and combating the legacy of racialized policing. Through a Truth and Reconciliation model, the resolution seeks to deepen accountability and trust between police and the communities they serve. This study aims to contribute to the “Truth” part of the process through a systematic review of the literature that examines racial disparities in the New York City policing practices, including, but not limited to pedestrian stops, frisks, traffic stops, arrests, and use of force from 2000 to 2021. Emphasis is given to how racial disparities are operationalized, the extent of racial disparities, and the manner and years for which estimates were derived. Importantly, this study documents the social, psychological, economic, and political harms that over-policing has had on communities of color in New York City.

Authors

• Joel Capellan, Rowan University

• Frank Pezzella, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

• Valli Rajah, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

• Dan Stageman, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

• Justice Evans, The Graduate Center

• Jonathon Sharp, Rowan University