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Thursday, October 03, 2002

THE REAL DEAL ON LAPD'S NEW CHIEF

Here is information on the new LAPD police chief, William Bratton, from anti-police brutality activists from New York City's communities of color. He is considered a "liberal" by police chief standards, especially considering he was ousted by former Mayor Giuliani. But Bratton's history is not clean, as you'll see...

William Bratton was NYC's Police Commissioner from Jan. 10, 1994 to April 14, 1996. He was just appointed Police Commissioner in LA. Below are flyers/statements that were put out by the Justice Committee, summarizing his history in NYC.
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BRATTON'S "COMMUNITY POLICING" --
REALITY, NOT RHETORIC

Police Commissioner Bratton frequently speaks about "community policing" and his commitment to root out corruption and brutality in the NYPD. Let's look at his record.

Cases he inherited and has done nothing about
The Giuliani/Bratton administration came into office and inherited a number of cases that had occurred earlier but had not yet been resolved. Some cases, like the murder of Yankel Rosenbaum, have been given maximum attention. Others, involving people of color, have not received intense police attention. This is a racial double-standard.

Manuel Mayi. A Queens College honor student, Manuel Mayi, was beaten to death by a racist gang in Corona, Queens in March 1991. His murderers are still free. Despite promises by Mayor Giuliani to the Mayi family, there has not been an intensified police investigation. We have the name of two people from the gang that killed Manuel Mayi. One is now a cadet in the Police Academy! No one in the NYPD is interested in this information. No one is in jail for the murder of Manuel Mayi.

Howard Beach Racial Firebombing. In July 1995, a Howard Beach home that was purchased by a Puerto Rican family, was burned to the ground in what was characterized as "racially-motivated arson." Commissioner Bratton has not spoken about this crime. There has been no on-going police investigation. No one is in jail.

Beatings of officers of color by white cops. In November 1991, police officers Antonio Echevestre and Scott Thompson were brutally beaten by a drunken mob of off-duty cops. One member of the mob, Patrick Brosnan, later became part of Mayor Giuliani's campaign security team. In the upside-down world of the NYPD, charges were brought against Echevestre and Thompson and not against the drunken cops who beat them. These charges are still pending. Even inside the NYPD, there is violence and discrimination against people of color.

Cases that occurred since he took charge of the NYPD
The Mollen Commission, a government body, documented a link between corruption and brutality. It recommended a strong independent body with full investigative and subpoena power to monitor police corruption and brutality. Giuliani and Bratton oppose this. The 46th Precinct in the Bronx was singled out for attention by the Mollen Commission. One officer there was called "the mechanic" by other officers because he had a reputation for "tuning up" (beating) people. Despite the Mollen Commission's findings and his claims of "concern", Commissioner Bratton has done nothing in the 46th Precinct. As a result:

Anthony Baez--killed by 46th Precinct police. Anthony Baez was killed by an illegal police chokehold. Officer Francis Livoti, who has since been indicted, was supposed to be under departmental "observation" because of his history of violence (including an attack on a superior officer). However, the sergeant that was riding with him the night he killed Anthony Baez did nothing while the illegal chokehold was applied.

Anthony Rosario & Hilton Vega--killed by 46th Precinct police. These two young Puerto Ricans were shot in the back, 14 and 8 times. After their execution, the NYPD carried out a character assassination against them. One of the officers who emptied his gun into them was Patrick Brosnan. Again, an "official" police coverup is protecting him. Mayor Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bratton have repeatedly refused to discuss Brosnan's role in the shootings.

HUNTER COLLEGE STUDENTS BEATEN. A peaceful demonstration by Hunter College Students protesting the budget cuts was attacked by police on March 15. 8 students were arrested. 1 was injured.

Police Brutality. Under Bratton's "leadership," police brutality complaints have gone up 37% citywide. In some precincts, however, the increase is much more. "Excessive force complaints in the 46th Precinct dumped 64.5 percent from 31 to 51. Overall complaints there, including excessive force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, and offensive language, jumped 56%." (Newsday, 2/9/65)

DON'T LET COMMISSIONER BRATTON FILL THE AIR WITH EMPTY RHETORIC ABOUT "COMMUNITY POLICING." LET'S TALK ABOUT HIS "DEEDS" -- WHAT HE HAS OR HASN'T DONE. ASK HIM ABOUT HIS RECORD.

NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR PUERTO RICAN RIGHTS - JUSTICE COMMITTEE/NYC CHAPTER
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"BRATTON'S LEAVING WITH BLOOD ON HIS HANDS"
SAY FAMILIES OF POLICE BRUTALITY VICTIMS

2,000 Expected at Racial Justice Day Rally 1996

At tomorrow's RACIAL JUSTICE DAY RALLY (City Hall, 4 -5:30 pm), families of police brutality victims will criticize the policies and actions of the NYPD under the leadership of outgoing Commissioner William Bratton. The criticisms include:

* Police brutality and police killings of unarmed youth of color have increased under Commissioner Bratton.

* Commissioner Bratton claims to have reduced crime, but police brutality is a crime. In the name of "reducing street crime," we have been asked to accept an increase of police crime.

* Bratton's "quality of life" sweeps have resulted in more than 98,000 juvenile arrests. 80% of these were for non-violent offenses (such as disorderly conduct, loitering, not having i.d.); and 50% were so minor that only a summons was issued. During these "quality of life" sweeps young people's civil rights are routinely violated.

* Commissioner Bratton has ignored racial crimes against people of color.

* Commissioner Bratton has ignored bias crimes against gays and lesbians.

* Commissioner Bratton has ignored the anti-corruption recommendations of the Mollen Commission; and has failed to mount a vigorous anti-corruption campaign inside the NYPD.

* Commissioner Bratton has undermined the Civilian Complaint Review Board by refusing to even read their findings in the cases of Anthony Rosario and Hilton Vega.

* Commissioner Bratton has ignored the problems of racial and gender discrimination WITHIN the Police Department.

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