Hakeem Jeffries pushes for NYPD residency legislation to address racism
7:11 am • 12 December 2011
Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries believes that no longer allowing NYPD recruits to live in suburban counties will address racism in the force:
His legislative push in Albany comes after the NYPD said it would investigate the online posts that called West Indian Day Parade participants “animals.”
“If you live in New York City, you’re more likely to appreciate the need for racial unity and harmony in this city,” the Brooklyn Democrat said.
Currently, NYPD members must live in the city or one of six suburban counties — Putnam, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland or Orange.
According to the NYPD’s top spokesman Paul Browne, 53% of police officers are minorities, while 47% of the force is white. He added that 60% of the current Police Academy class are city residents.
