The Right to Know Act went into effect on October 19, 2018, to protect the rights of civilians stopped or searched by the New York City Police Department. This law comes on the heels of the controversial “stop-and-frisk” tactics that a federal judge declared unconstitutional as “a policy of indirect racial profiling.”
First, the law requires officers to identify themselves– providing name, rank, command, and shield number at the beginning of a Level 2 or Level 3 stop, frisk, search, roadblock, checkpoint, home search, or investigatory questioning.
Civilians must be offered a business card, directing them to where they may comment, inquire, or complain about an encounter with law enforcement. Civilians are also entitled to request a copy of body camera footage of the interaction, which must be delivered within 90 days.
Officers must hand out the cards at roadblocks and checkpoints, but not during traffic stops or when acting as security at special events. They do not have to offer cards when conducting bag checks at the subway station. However, they do if they wish to stop and search someone coming out of the station. Officers assigned to interview victims and witnesses of crime must also offer business cards.
Secondly, officers must also explain that they cannot perform home or property searches without the civilian’s permission. They must affirm that the civilian understands the reason for the search as well as their right to refuse. The consent requirements do not apply to searches conducted with a warrant– or under exceptions to the Fourth Amendment.
City Councilman Antonio Reynoso, the lead sponsor of the law, said ambiguity has led to civilian confusion regarding their rights during police stops. Officers can ask a person on the street who they are and where they’re going– without providing any reason for the questioning. However, the officer can only ask whether the civilian has a weapon or conduct a frisk if there is a justifiable reason to believe the person has or will commit a crime. Officers must explain why they are questioning a person and gain consent to conduct a pat-down.
If you are unsure of the circumstances or the police did not ask for consent to be searched, you can say, “I do not consent to be searched” to make your objection clear. You can also revoke consent. If you feel the officer has violated the law, reports can be requested online and must be provided within 10 days. You have the right to file a complaint of officer misconduct with the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
Assistance can be sought through the Communities United for Police Reform or through a New York City civil rights lawyer at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green. If you have been a victim of police brutality, you may be eligible for financial recovery. It costs nothing upfront to pursue these claims. Call now for your free consultation.