New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio released a video response and written statement on Wednesday, Dec. 30, supporting the findings and recommendations of Corporation Counsel James Johnson’s report on the NYPD’s response to the George Floyd protests in New York City, as reported by Norwood News. 

 

“There are clear lessons to be learned from the protests this year and a necessary drive to bring about real, transformative changes,” said de Blasio. “We must make improvements immediately, and the reports from the Department of Investigation ((DoI) and the Law Department will help guide the way forward. In addition to the 20 recommendations from the DOI report, I fully support the Law Department’s 10 recommendations for the NYPD to better respond to protests, strengthen community engagement and improve officer training.”

 

In May, the mayor instructed both the Law Department and the Department of Investigation (DOI) to review the NYPD’s protest response. The independent DOI report was released earlier this month. Its findings and all 20 recommendations were supported by the Mayor in a video statement.

 

The mayor said that Police Commissioner Dermot Shea also supported the recommendations and findings of the Law Department’s report. Shea had previously provided a statement following the release of the DOI report on Dec.18, saying, “I have reviewed the Department of Investigation report. In general terms, the report captured the difficult period that took place in May/June of 2020, and presents 20 logical and thoughtful recommendations that I intend to incorporate into our future policy and training.”

 

He added, “I’d like to thank DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett and her entire staff for their professionalism during this process.”

 

Norwood News reported previously on the response by Black Lives Matter to the police reform efforts in New York City, as well as on the lawsuit which have been filed against the NYPD in relation to their handling of the protests, based on testimony provided during the State hearing on the protests. We also reported on the different outreach events organized by, or in conjunction with, with the NYPD in addressing police reform, as well as on a number of Black Lives Matter protests, rallies, celebrations and solidarity events which took place earlier this year.