Phil Boyle
State Senator
(R-Bay Shore)

Boyle has not responded to Newsday's survey.

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

Send him a tweet or tell him what you think in the comments.

Background:

Boyle 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.

Boyle, of Bay Shore, was elected to the Senate in 2012. Previously, he served two stints in the Assembly. He is a founding partner of the law firm Steinberg & Boyle and worked in Washington, D.C., for then-Reps. Rick Lazio and Frank Horton.

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Should 50-a be repealed?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?

His comments:

Boyle has not filled in the survey.

What do you think?

comments powered by Disqus