Police misconduct: What do your elected officials think?

Background:

Thiele Jr. 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.

Thiele, of Sag Harbor, is an attorney and has been a state assemblyman since he won a special election in 1995. He previously served as Southampton town supervisor.

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?

Yes

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Should 50-a be repealed?

Yes

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

His comments:

Thiele Jr. did not provide any comments.