Police misconduct: What do your elected officials think?

Background:

Martins is a member of the State Senate. Working with the Assembly, the State Senate can propose and pass laws that regulate local police departments throughout the state. It could create state oversight of police officers, which currently does not exist, or make internal police investigations public in New York.

Martins, of Mineola, was elected to the Senate in 2011. He was the mayor of the village of Mineola from 2003 until 2010 and served as a trustee for the village in 2002. Martins made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2008 when he ran against Rep. Carolyn McCarthy.

Questions:

Police officers have remained on the job after shooting innocent people, falsifying police reports, lying under oath and committing other misconduct.

Is there a need for increased oversight of law enforcement?

No response

A New York law known as 50-a keeps investigations into police misconduct hidden from the public. In many states this is not the case.

Should 50-a be repealed?

No response

New York does not license police officers, and is one of only six states that does not have the power to end an officer’s career.

Should New York police officers be licensed by the state?

No response

His comments:

Martins has not filled in the survey.