CM JAMES COMMENTS ON NYPD DISCIPLINE OF OFFICERS USING HATEFUL LANGUAGE ON FACEBOOK

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
August 23, 2012

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES COMMENTS ON NYPD DISCIPLINE OF OFFICERS USING HATEFUL LANGUAGE ON FACEBOOK

New York, NY— In December 2011, Council Member Letitia James and colleagues expressed outrage at the offensive and disrespectful comments made by some individuals affiliated with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on the social-networking website “Facebook”.

Commenters on the Facebook group entitled “No More West Indian Day Detail” were found referring to parade participants as “animals”, “savages”, and “filth”; and the parade overall as a “scheduled riot”. Today, the New York Daily News reported that 17 officers were disciplined for their remarks— with 4 officers facing departmental trials on misconduct charges, 6 officers facing command disciplines, and 7 officers receiving lower levels of punishment.

“These comments were deeply offensive, specifically to the elected officials who every year work with the NYPD to address safety concerns related to the West Indian Day Parade,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I commend the NYPD for addressing this unacceptable behavior.”

The 2011 West Indian American Day Parade saw a total of nine shooting victims, with four of those victims shot along the parade’s route. Those who lost their life include Denise Gay, 56, who was shot while sitting on a stoop with her daughter.

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