Friedman to Serve as Special Advisor on Investigation into NYPD Policing of George Floyd Protests

Friedman Joins Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to Help Guide The New York State Attorney General’s Ongoing Investigation

As announced today by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Policing Project Faculty Director and Founder Barry Friedman will serve as a special advisor to help guide and support the New York Attorney General’s investigation into the recent interactions between the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and protesters following the death of George Floyd.

On May 31, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Attorney General will review all NYPD actions and procedures used during protests in New York City and issue a public report within 30 days.

James has appointed Friedman and former United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch to serve as special advisors of this independent review, which will include both police procedures and crowd actions during the protests. The Policing Project at New York University School of Law will support investigation activities.

Friedman is the faculty director and founder of the Policing Project and the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Professor of Law at New York University. The author of Unwarranted: Policing Without Permission, he is one of the country’s leading authorities on constitutional law, criminal procedure, and the federal courts. Friedman also heads up the American Law Institute’s ongoing effort to develop principles to guide American policing.

“Our work is dedicated to promoting public safety through transparency, equity, and democratic engagement,” Friedman said. “We know that our communities are best served and protected when all stakeholders have a seat at the table, not just those in power. It’s clear New York is ready for an in-depth look at our policing polices, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with Attorney General James on this investigation.”

Since its founding in 2015, the Policing Project consistently works with all stakeholders to promote public safety through transparency, democratic governance, and equity, with a particular focus on racial justice.

The Policing Project’s prior work includes a collaboration with the Camden County Police Department on their progressive use of force policy—cited by Chief Joseph Wysocki in explaining his recent decision to march alongside protesters—and the launch of the Neighborhood Policing Initiative in Chicago to transform the way the Chicago Police Department engages with community members, particularly in communities of color most affected by policing. Following troubling reports of discriminatory enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Policing Project also issued guidance for law enforcement and municipal officials on fairly and effectively enforcing social distancing and related orders while protecting individual civil liberties.