A New York state assemblyman says he is preparing legislation to give the state attorney general sole power to prosecute police crimes. This comes in the wake of the death of Eric Garner and a request by the attorney general for an executive order to investigate such cases.
Westchester Assemblyman Tom Abinanti says he is drafting legislation to give New York’s attorney general exclusive jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute all alleged crimes by police officers whether or not in connection with the performance of their regular duties. The Democratic Abinanti says there is at least an appearance of a conflict of interest when a local district attorney is called on to handle a matter involving a local police officer with whom the district attorney works. And Senate Democrats Tuesday announced legislation to reform the state’s criminal justice system and address incidents of police-caused fatalities.
