A new educational program launched by the city is aimed at reducing confrontation between youths and NYPD officers. While the primary goal is to engender trust between the two groups, the program may also reduce the number of police brutality cases in New York City.
The “Know Your Rights” program was launched in NYC schools last month and is designed to educate young people on how to react in certain situations when dealing with police. While the ultimate goal is to reduce the tension between youths and NYPD officers, the program is part of an organizational shift in the NYPD to focus on de-escalation techniques.
A spokesperson from the NYPD told media outlets that the program was designed to target young people who may have already developed a fear of the police but who are still young enough to adjust attitudes and learn new behaviors.
And while the program appears to be a bit biased (that the “problem” in the relation between cops and youths rests with the adolescents), the actual end result of the program may be a reduction in the number of police brutality cases in New York City.
Indeed, in recent years the number of negative interactions between armed NYPD officers and children under the age of 18 has been increasing. Stories of cops handcuffing young children to benches in police stations, using excessive force on high school students, and using derogatory and inciting language during interactions have splashed across headlines in the past. This leaves many wondering where the real disconnect between children and cops occurs and whether negative interactions are a “chicken and egg” situation.
Regardless of the roots of the program, the outcome may indeed improve interactions between young New Yorkers and the individuals whose job it is to protect and serve.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of excessive force at the hands of an NYPD or corrections officer, speak with an experienced police brutality lawyer in New York City today. Call The Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 right now.