Earlene Hooper
State Assemblyman
(D-Hempstead)

Hooper has not responded to Newsday's survey.

Newsday sent Hooper the following questions along with a summary of findings from our investigation. Hooper was also offered unlimited space to respond on this page.

Tell her what you think in the comments.

Background:

Hooper is a member of the Assembly. Working with the State Senate, the Assembly 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.

Hooper, of Hempstead, has represented her district since 1988. She is a former state social worker and former executive board member of the Public Employees Federation. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Norfolk State University in Virginia and a master's degree in social work from Adelphi University. Hooper is the Assembly's deputy speaker.

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?

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Should 50-a be repealed?

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?

Her comments:

Hooper has not filled in the survey.

What do you think?

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