NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Members of the Guyanese American Workers United organization are calling for a total over haul of the New York Police Department in light of the recent police killing of Jamaica, Queens native Sean Bell and the beating of two African-American men in the West Village by police officers of the 6th Precinct on November 1.
GAWU officials claim policy brutality is inextricably linked to the fabric of New York City and is almost a daily occurrence with many acts going largely unnoticed by the media.
“Successive local governments have been unable or do not want to end this vicious cycle,” said GAWU official Chuck Mohan. “There must be a total overhauling of the NYPD.”
The group also called on Mayor Mike Bloomberg to consult with community leaders before implementing new rules and regulations for the NYPD, including but not limited to, intense psychological testing for recruits, ensuring that all police officers live in the five boroughs of the city, the intensification of sensitivity training and that police be assigned to work in communities where they reside.
“Community representatives must be involved in the restructuring of the NYPD, anything less would be an exercise in futility and minority communities will continue to be brutalized and terrorize by terrorist police officers,” stated GAWU.
The group also offered condolences to the parents of Bell, his fiancée Nicole Paultre, his daughters Jordyn and Jada, his entire family and community.
“We mourn the loss of this young man taken from his family and robbed of living a long life as a husband, father and a productive citizen in his community,” said officials, who also expressed the hope for the quick recovery of Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield.
“Fifty shots fired, one dead, two seriously injured and five policemen are given time to concoct lies against the victims. For too long police terrorism against the minority communities of this city has been allowed to go unchecked,” stated group officials. “Laws must be enacted that severely punish police officers who commit such wanton acts of violence against innocent people. Police officers must not be exempt from the death penalty when they perpetuate such violent acts against law abiding citizens.”
