Police misconduct: What do your elected officials think?

Background:

Schneiderman is the state's top law enforcement official. His office can criminally investigate individual local officers for on-the-job misconduct only with a referral from another state agency or in cases involving violations of civil rights or the Constitution.

Schneiderman was elected state attorney general in 2010. From 2003 to 2006, he served as State Senate deputy Democratic leader. A graduate of Amherst College and Harvard Law School, Schneiderman spent two years as a deputy sheriff in Berkshire County, Mass. He lives in Manhattan.

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

The attorney general cannot independently initiate investigations of local police misconduct.

Should your office be given the power to investigate local police?

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Should 50-a be repealed?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:

Schneiderman has not filled in the survey.