NYC appeals stop-and-frisk reforms

The administration of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has asked a federal appeals court to vacate the decisions that had ordered sweeping reforms in stop-and-frisk practices.

The decisions by Judge Shira A. Scheindlin, of Federal District Court in Manhattan, had already been halted by the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit while it considered the city�™s appeal of the rulings, the New York Times reported Saturday.

Though Bloomberg appealed the reforms, incoming Mayor Bill de Blasio has pledged to drop the appeal. If Blasio does so, the court-ordered reforms would most likely go into effect.

The Patrolmen�™s Benevolent Association is now seeking legal standing to contest reforms. The association said in court papers Thursday that �œthe potential withdrawal… will leave police officers and the public without a means to challenge a decision that will have significant impact on both police operations and public safety.”

�œThe outcome of this appeal will directly affect the reputation of all NYC police officers and the daily activities and collective bargaining rights of 29,000 sworn members … including their training discipline and safety,” said Patrick Lynch, president of the PBA.

The NY Times said the association is not a party to the case and may not be allowed to continue the appeal on its own.

The filing comes to ensure that Judge Scheindlin�™s rulings disappear before Bloomberg leaves office.

The federal lawsuit challenging the NYC police department�™s practice of stop-and-frisk was brought in 2010 by Hispanic and black plaintiffs who said cops engaged in racial profiling when they stopped, questioned and frisked people who were doing nothing wrong.

In August, Scheindlin found aspects of the stop-and-frisk law unconstitutional and ordered reforms, including a court monitor to oversee the changes.

On Wednesday, hundreds of New Yorkers rallied to protest against the appeal of stop-and-frisk, condemning the police tactic.

ARA/ARA