COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS' STATEMENT REGARDING THE GUILTY PLEA OF NYPD OFFICER MICHAEL DARAGJATI
BROOKLYN, NY, January 24, 2012: Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn) released the following statement regarding the guilty plea filed by NYPD Officer Michael Daragjati for violating the civil rights of an unarmed black man in Staten Island. On April 15 of last year, Daragjati performed a stop, question and frisk on the aforementioned man and charged him with resisting arrest, knowing there was no probable cause to support the charge; he misrepresented on his police report when he wrote the man had shoved and kicked him during the stop, question and procedure. Furthermore, in a later call to a female friend that was being recorded by investigators, Daragjati allegedly said, "I got it all done but, fried another nigger.' Daragjati has been terminated from the NYPD and, as part of his plea agreement, has agreed to never apply for another job in law enforcement.
"This is a small show of justice for the people of this city, who deserve the very best from New York's Finest. The NYPD has many police officers that are great community partners and help create a safe place for our young people to learn and grow. Unfortunately, Michael Daragjati could not have been further from this standard of excellence. Our streets should not be protected by someone who shows contempt for the people they are paid to protect. I hope this is an instructional moment in that sense.
However, to truly restore the public trust and the civil rights of all New Yorkers, we must address the roots of this abuse. The NYPD has codified certain unjust policies and procedures that have undermined police morale and have contributed to a policing culture that cultivates racist and sexist mentalities in some of its officers. The silence from Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly is deafening on this issue, and it is beyond offensive. At this point, I think it is fair to view it as a lack of respect not only for the black, Latino, Caribbean and Muslim communities of New York City, but for all human beings who deserve basic decency."
COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS' STATEMENT REGARDING THE GUILTY PLEA OF NYPD OFFICER MICHAEL DARAGJATI
Rafael Martínez Alequín
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:52:00 GMT
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