City Council subpoena targets Dept. of Health report on NYPD-involved deaths

City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Council member Ritchie Torres are issuing a subpoena on a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene report that reportedly shows more than double the police-involved deaths in New York City than previously known

News 12 Staff

Jun 20, 2020, 10:26 PM

Updated 1,397 days ago

Share:

City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Council member Ritchie Torres are issuing a subpoena on a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene report that reportedly shows more than double the police-involved deaths in New York City than previously known.
An op-ed by the New York Times Friday revealed the report for the first time and says the DOH withheld the information.
The Times piece says the former Health Commissioner Mary Basset started working on the report back in 2015. It says the internal review was in conjunction with then-NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill.
The Times says the 2017 draft showed that 105 people were killed by the NYPD between 2010 and 2015 -- as opposed to 46, the official number from the department.
The City Council is now demanding that the mayor's office release the report and any other drafts it may have. They are also demanding Mayor Bill de Blasio release a written explanation as to why the findings were not brought to light before.
The mayor's office released a statement that says, "Dr. Bassett sat on this information for five years and only told the mayor a few weeks ago. He immediately responded to her and in the weeks since our Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services has been in touch with her. We are now digging into the findings to determine next steps. NYPD will get back on the rest."
The NYPD said in part, "This is misleading and basic facts are wrong. The NYPD shared five years of data with the Department of Health. The agreement between agencies gave the Health Department full ownership to release their report. They have had years to do so, and failed to."
The Department of Health said in part, "In 2016 -- moved by the deaths of Tamir Rice, Philando Castile, Natasha McKenna, Eric Garner and many others -- we felt compelled to look at legal intervention deaths in New York City and how these fatalities are classified and reported by the Department of Health... "...The research -- which was presented at conferences and to partner agencies -- led us to understand that there are gaps in the data and that we need a better system. The purpose of this initiative from day one was to ensure that accurate data is presented..."
PHOTOS: Protests in Brooklyn over death of George Floyd
undefined
 
 
 


More from News 12
2:19
Denim takes over Bronx Borough Hall for day dedicated to raising sexual assault awareness

Denim takes over Bronx Borough Hall for day dedicated to raising sexual assault awareness

2:08
Scattered showers, cool weather stick around Thursday for New York City

Scattered showers, cool weather stick around Thursday for New York City

1:34
NYPD says new campaign has lowered crime citywide; some New Yorkers don’t buy it

NYPD says new campaign has lowered crime citywide; some New Yorkers don’t buy it

2:09
Federal civil rights complaint filed against NYC Public Schools Athletic League

Federal civil rights complaint filed against NYC Public Schools Athletic League

2:10
NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers offer $5,000 reward after string of carjackings and robberies

NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers offer $5,000 reward after string of carjackings and robberies

2:13
Police: 34-year-old motorcycle driver dies in crash with SUV, parked car

Police: 34-year-old motorcycle driver dies in crash with SUV, parked car

2:21
Bronx advocates closer than ever to opening birthing center

Bronx advocates closer than ever to opening birthing center

1:51
NYC charter school system serving school lunches made from scratch

NYC charter school system serving school lunches made from scratch

2:39
Man fatally shot in Mount Eden identified by police

Man fatally shot in Mount Eden identified by police

1:42
NY Road Runners announce new initiative with NYC Public Schools

NY Road Runners announce new initiative with NYC Public Schools

0:33
NYPD: Man arrested, charged with murder for fatal Tremont deli shooting

NYPD: Man arrested, charged with murder for fatal Tremont deli shooting

2:38
Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy hosts Mayor Adams community conversation

Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy hosts Mayor Adams community conversation

0:41
Commuter alert: Additional construction starts today along Bronx River Parkway

Commuter alert: Additional construction starts today along Bronx River Parkway

Guide: Stay safe while traveling through work zones with these 6 tips

Guide: Stay safe while traveling through work zones with these 6 tips

0:32
Group of parents launches coalition to deal with class sizes in New York City

Group of parents launches coalition to deal with class sizes in New York City

1:45
City Island Diner is inspiration behind J.Crew T-shirt

City Island Diner is inspiration behind J.Crew T-shirt

1:59
Police: Around $62,000 worth of jewelry stolen from 2 Williamsburg stores in separate incidents

Police: Around $62,000 worth of jewelry stolen from 2 Williamsburg stores in separate incidents

2:11
Concerned students at Melrose school calling for better security measures

Concerned students at Melrose school calling for better security measures

0:38
U.S. attorney: Former NYPD officer pleads guilty to distributing fentanyl, heroin

U.S. attorney: Former NYPD officer pleads guilty to distributing fentanyl, heroin

2:03
You have questions, and we have your answers: Where can people smoke?

You have questions, and we have your answers: Where can people smoke?