City Council gives mayor, health commissioner until Tuesday to turn over report on NYPD-involved deaths

The City Council is putting pressure on the mayor's office and the city's health commissioner to turn over an internal report that allegedly shows undercounted deaths at the hands of the NYPD.

News 12 Staff

Jun 21, 2020, 9:38 PM

Updated 1,418 days ago

Share:

The City Council is putting pressure on the mayor's office and the city's health commissioner to turn over an internal report that allegedly shows undercounted deaths at the hands of the NYPD.
The council issued a subpoena relating to the report. Councilman Ritchie Torres says that hasn't been done since 2005, but says it's necessary because the truth is being withheld.
The announcement comes two days after a New York Times opinion piece on a never-released Department of Health report. Former City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett and her team identified 105 people killed by police or police activity from 2010 to 2015. That's more than double the 46 deaths the agency publicly reported, according to the Times.
Dr. Bassett, who left the administration before the work was complete, emailed Mayor Bill de Blasio on May 30 to tell him about the internal review that the Health Department had been performing.
According to the Times, Dr. Bassett accused Police Commissioner Dermot Shea of not continuing the work.
But the NYPD says the collaboration between agencies ended under the last administration, calling the Times' piece "misleading."
In a statement, the NYPD said in part, "The NYPD shared five years' worth of data with the Department of Health. The agreement between agencies gave the Health Department full ownership to release their report. They have had years to do so, and failed to... the department will continue to share data with the Health Department and most importantly, the public."
A press secretary for Mayor de Blasio said in part, "Dr. Bassett sat on this information for five years and only told the mayor a few weeks ago. He immediately responded to her...we are now digging into the findings to determine next steps."
The City Council is giving the mayor and current health commissioner until Tuesday to turn over the most recent draft of the report.
"The concealment of the report is an offense to transparency," said Council member Ritchie Torres. "The public has a right to know the extent to which the NYPD is responsible for the deaths of New Yorkers, particularly communities of color..."
The city Department of Health says in part, "We felt compelled to look at legal intervention deaths in New York City and how these fatalities are classified and reported...The research...led us to understand that there are gaps in the data and that we need a better system."
PHOTOS: Protests in Brooklyn over death of George Floyd
undefined
 
 


More from News 12
1:52
NYCHA to cut security guards from dozens of senior buildings

NYCHA to cut security guards from dozens of senior buildings

1:58
Rainy, windy Friday for NYC; chance for showers on Mother's Day

Rainy, windy Friday for NYC; chance for showers on Mother's Day

1:32
CUNY to provide resources for students following FAFSA fiasco

CUNY to provide resources for students following FAFSA fiasco

1:09
Baby changing stations to be installed in all NYC parks bathrooms

Baby changing stations to be installed in all NYC parks bathrooms

1:51
Dyker Heights resident goes from heavy smoker to half marathon runner

Dyker Heights resident goes from heavy smoker to half marathon runner

NYPD: Driver wanted for hitting 2 women, killing 1 in Bushwick

NYPD: Driver wanted for hitting 2 women, killing 1 in Bushwick

1:40
NYPD: One woman dead, another injured in hit-and-run in Bushwick

NYPD: One woman dead, another injured in hit-and-run in Bushwick

1:53
Bushwick tenant displaced by fire tries to rebuild life while living in shelter

Bushwick tenant displaced by fire tries to rebuild life while living in shelter

1:28
Bushwick families displaced by massive fire receive clothes, supplies at relief drive

Bushwick families displaced by massive fire receive clothes, supplies at relief drive

1:58
Local officials and loved ones of victims rally for stricter laws against 'drugged drivers'

Local officials and loved ones of victims rally for stricter laws against 'drugged drivers'

0:52
Brooklyn teacher honored by News 12 during Teacher Appreciation Week

Brooklyn teacher honored by News 12 during Teacher Appreciation Week

1:55
New law allows NYC to set its own speed limits amid spike in traffic deaths

New law allows NYC to set its own speed limits amid spike in traffic deaths

1:55
​NYPD: Cyclist in critical condition after striking car door then ran over by school bus in Bensonhurst

​NYPD: Cyclist in critical condition after striking car door then ran over by school bus in Bensonhurst

1:44
Maimondes Health, Parker and Talia give away 1,000 sensory-free onesies to newborns

Maimondes Health, Parker and Talia give away 1,000 sensory-free onesies to newborns

0:50
Marine officials: Dead whale caught on cruise ship's bow in Brooklyn

Marine officials: Dead whale caught on cruise ship's bow in Brooklyn

1:02
Carroll Gardens pizzeria namedropped in Drake, Kendrick Lamar rap feud

Carroll Gardens pizzeria namedropped in Drake, Kendrick Lamar rap feud

0:31
Officials: 3 people involved in Brooklyn gang, death of 1-year-old sentenced to prison

Officials: 3 people involved in Brooklyn gang, death of 1-year-old sentenced to prison

0:31
City Parks Foundation opens registration for free 2024 summer sports programs

City Parks Foundation opens registration for free 2024 summer sports programs

1:02
Bright news: Here come the longer days and later sunsets

Bright news: Here come the longer days and later sunsets

1:47
Love at first dance: 94-year-old & 82-year-old tie the knot at Bainbridge Adult Day Health Care Center

Love at first dance: 94-year-old & 82-year-old tie the knot at Bainbridge Adult Day Health Care Center