DeBlasio announces deal to drop stop

Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced Thursday that New York City has agreed to reform the 'overuse' of NYPD stop-and-frisk tactics and withdraw the appeal of a federal court ruling that found NYPD practices unconstitutional and named a monitor to oversee changes.

DeBlasio's announcement, fulfilling a campaign promise, came as the city filed legal papers asking the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to return the case to the trial court for a settlement that will limit the monitor's term to three years, but keep in place orders to improve training, discipline and supervision at the NYPD.

DeBlasio and other officials said the agreement between the city and lawyers who sued on behalf of targets of street stops marked a 'historic' effort to do away with a police tactic that rankled minority neighborhoods as its use grew under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

'This will be one city, where everyone's rights are respected, and where police and community stand together to confront violence,' DeBlasio said at the news conference.

'We will not break the law to enforce the law,' new Police Commissioner William Bratton said in a statement. 'That's my solemn promise to every New Yorker.'

The groups that pursued stop-and-frisk cases joined in the praise. 'We understand that the culture of the largest police force in the country cannot change overnight,' said New York Civil Liberties union director Donna Lieberman. 'But we believe in the good will and good intention of the new administration.'

The city is not trying to return the case to U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin, who was removed for an appearance of bias last year after ordering reforms and replaced by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres. Scheindlin's removal and a bid by police unions to keep the appeal alive without the city are still before the Second Circuit.

The city is not trying to return the case to U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin, who was removed for an appearance of bias last year after ordering reforms and replaced by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres. Scheindlin's removal and a bid by police unions to keep the appeal alive without the city are still before the 2d Circuit.

Today, shortly after the city filed its request to return the case to the trial court, the same 2d Circuit three-judge panel that removed Scheindlin said it wanted to hear the police unions' position on the city's request by Feb. 7, indicating that it has not yet dismissed their effort to keep the case alive.

The head of one of the unions, PBA president Patrick J. Lynch, said in a statement, 'We continue to have serious concerns about how these remedies will impact our members and the ability to do their jobs. Our goal is to continue to be involved in the process in order to give voice to our members and to make every effort to ensure that their rights are protected.'

Scheindlin ruled last year that as stop-and-frisk activity exploded under Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly the police unconstitutionally targeted minorities and made stops without the 'reasonable suspicion' required by law.

She named former city corporation counsel Peter Zimroth to oversee discussions with the NYPD and those suing the city for on reforms in training, supervision and discipline, and also ordered a pilot project to equip officers with cameras to record all stops -- steps that would proceed when the city appeal is withdrawn.

Scheindlin's ruling was denounced by Kelly, Bloomberg and police unions, who contended that aggressive stop-and-frisk tactics had been a crucial factor in reducing the crime rate and argued that the judge had defamed police officers for doing their jobs.

Last fall, the Second Circuit panel hearing the appeal removed Scheindlin, finding that she had improperly maneuvered to get the stop-and-frisk challenges assigned to her and later made media comments responding to criticism from City Hall. The case was reassigned to Torres, who became a federal judge last year.

After Scheindlin was removed, Bloomberg asked the Second Circuit to immediately vacate her decision on stop and frisk before DeBlasio took office. The court declined, leaving the new mayor in a position to agree to Scheindlin's order.

Several police unions have asked the Second Circuit to grant them formal status in the case that would allow them to pursue an appeal, even if the city drops out. That issue has not been resolved.

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