Until this summer, New York state prohibited releasing police officers’ disciplinary records. And so complaints of abuse by civilians against NYPD officers were a secret. So were whatever conclusions investigators came to–including even if an officer was punished or not.

The deaths of Eric Garner and George Floyd at police hands renewed push to repeal the statute– known as “50-A”– that kept secret officers’ disciplinary records. Lawmakers responded to this groundswell of political pressure by repealing the decades-old provision.

The NYCLU and ProPublica then acquired the records and made this information public.

Under the guidance of Professors Fritz Umbach (History) and Valerie West (Criminal Justice), our team used this newly available data to a variety of aspects of police misconduct in our city’s police force.

Anglique Beharry, Differences in Allegations by Rank of Officers: file

Vivien Dudas, Difference in “Type of Force” Allegations by Race: file

Andrea Pinales, Civilian Complaints in Queens Over Time and Space: file

Aviana Shaw, The Changing Nature of Abuse of Authority Allegations Over Time: file

Alyssa Yamraj, Police Misconduct Allegations by White Civilians, file