Policing Project at NYU Law
What does the new White House policy on AI mean ...

Last month, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a landmark policy putting in place long-overdue requirements on how federal agencies can – and cannot – use artificial intelligence. 

Here are our main takeaways on what it means for law enforcement.

What does the new White House policy on AI mean for law enforcement? Here are our takeaways.
Policing Project at NYU Law
Eric Andre and Clayton English Appeal Dismissal ...

The Policing Project at NYU School of Law, the global law firm Jones Day, the law firm Lawrence & Bundy, and Canfield Law LLC have filed an appeal to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the dismissal of a civil rights lawsuit against Clayton County police. A range of groups and individuals, including law enforcement officials; Tyler Perry, Jamie Foxx, and other prominent Black actors; empirical scholars; Cato Institute; NAACP Legal Defense Fund; Institute for Justice; ACLU of Georgia, have filed amicus briefs in support of the appeal.

Eric Andre and Clayton English Appeal Dismissal of Racial Discrimination Lawsuit, Receive Broad Amicus Support
Policing Project at NYU Law
The Transparency New Yorkers Deserve: How City ...

This week, we’re highlighting testimony we provided to the New York City Council on how the NYPD has skirted democratic accountability in deploying intrusive policing technologies.

The Transparency New Yorkers Deserve: How City Council Must Hold NYPD to Account
Joshua Manson
2023 Legislative Wrap-Up

During this year’s legislative session, we provided input and drafting support on 36 pieces of legislation or regulations across 12 states. Notably, 22 of these engagements came at the express invitation of state or local partners, including both advocates and lawmakers. The most popular topics were use of force, officer decertification, and data collection and transparency, but legislators also sought to address a wide range of others, from warrant reform to police use of robots, and more.

2023 Legislative Wrap-Up
Policing Project at NYU Law
Statement of Resigning Axon AI Ethics Board ...

Nine members of the Axon AI Ethics Board resigned following the company’s announcement that it would develop Taser-equipped drones with real-time streaming surveillance cameras to respond to mass shootings.

Statement of Resigning Axon AI Ethics Board Members

First-of-its-kind safety study: Denver residents want more non-police first response

First-of-its-kind safety study: Denver residents want more non-police first response

The Policing Project at NYU School of Law today released a first-of-its-kind report on community safety and non-police alternative first response in Denver. The report, Transforming Denver’s First Response Model, found that there is broad agreement – among community members, police leaders, and alternative first responders – that “sending police to deal with every social problem simply isn’t working.” The report also found that, among people from communities most affected by policing, there is broad agreement that transforming first response is a high priority issue.

2023 Legislative Wrap-Up

2023 Legislative Wrap-Up

During this year’s legislative session, we provided input and drafting support on 36 pieces of legislation or regulations across 12 states. Notably, 22 of these engagements came at the express invitation of state or local partners, including both advocates and lawmakers. The most popular topics were use of force, officer decertification, and data collection and transparency, but legislators also sought to address a wide range of others, from warrant reform to police use of robots, and more.

Ring Neighbors Makes Major Changes to Its Interactions With Police as Part of Civil Rights Audit

Ring Neighbors Makes Major Changes to Its Interactions With Police as Part of Civil Rights Audit

Ring, one of the nation’s largest home security companies, engaged the Policing Project at New York University School of Law in civil rights and civil liberties audit, leading to substantial changes.

Oregon Sued Over Domestic Spying Operation

Oregon Sued Over Domestic Spying Operation

The Oregon TITAN Fusion Center is a covert domestic spying program run by the Oregon Department of Justice that targets the people of Oregon with aggressive and illegal surveillance. Our lawsuit, Farrell-Smith v. Oregon, is brought by environmental, indigenous rights, and social justice advocates who peacefully protested a $10 billion fossil fuel pipeline and were targeted by TITAN.

Op-ed: ​​When it comes to police accountability, the community matters

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability needs experts from a variety of fields, including law, organizing and public safety. We must demand that the mayor and council members find the best residents, as there may be no more important issue facing the city than the safety of our residents.

Op-ed: Pa. should follow Philly’s lead and ban minor traffic stops that criminalize ‘driving while Black’

Philadelphia’s just became the first major city to ban traffic stops for minor violations. The “driving equality” law presents a real opportunity to improve police-community relations and reduce dangerous encounters between officers and motorists. While the city’s decision to decrease these types of stops should be applauded, real change must happen at the state level.

Op-ed: To Rein In Abuse by the Police, Lawmakers Must Do What the Supreme Court Will Not

Op-ed: To Rein In Abuse by the Police, Lawmakers Must Do What the Supreme Court Will Not

Last week, in two unsigned opinions, the Supreme Court showed its disdain for police reform. Taken together, they create an almost insurmountable barrier to holding police officers responsible for violating people’s constitutional rights. With this latest move, the Supreme Court has abdicated its responsibility to regulate police behavior. Now legislators must step up and do what the justices won’t.

Chicago passes legislation to create a community oversight board for public safety

Chicago passes legislation to create a community oversight board for public safety

Last week, Chicago City Council Members voted to pass legislation that will create a “Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.” This is a significant victory for Empowering Communities for Public Safety – a coalition of community organizers in Chicago, who collectively have worked on this issue for decades. The Policing Project was privileged to work with the organizers, lending drafting and strategic assistance.

Coalition of police leaders, researchers, and more back 30x30 Initiative to promote the advancement of women in policing

Coalition of police leaders, researchers, and more back 30x30 Initiative to promote the advancement of women in policing

Social science research strongly suggests the advancement of women officers is associated with improved outcomes for both policing agencies and the communities they serve. Yet women make up only 12% of sworn police officers and less than 3% of police leadership in the U.S., numbers that have remained stagnant for decades. We want to change this.

Axon AI Ethics Board releases update on recent work in 2020 EOY report

Axon AI Ethics Board releases update on recent work in 2020 EOY report

Last year saw a renewed focus on policing reform and the widespread deployment of new technologies, such as aerial surveillance and facial recognition. Amidst these changes, the work of the Axon AI Ethics Board was as vital as ever. Today, the Board releases its end of year report detailing its work over calendar year 2020.

Op-ed: What Biden Can Do About Bad Policing

Op-ed: What Biden Can Do About Bad Policing

One of the big campaign promises Joe Biden made last summer as Americans took to the streets to demand racial justice was policing reform. He had to walk a careful line between activists who wanted to defund the police and many others who wanted to make more modest adjustments to police policies. Now, caught in the middle, the risk is the new administration might end up accomplishing far less than it should.