Protesters in City Hall chambers in New York City on Dec. 8, 2014. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times
The events of Ferguson and even the death of Eric Garner, who was black, in Staten Island from a chokehold by a white police officer, have been followed by the council members. In response, they have proposed bills aimed at reforming police conduct, such as one that would ban the chokehold and another that would require officers to ask permission before searching a suspect.
Both bills are still pending review, but have faced little opposition.
Although, critics felt that requiring officers to ask permission before searching a suspect would restrict the police force and create additional obstacles in policing crime.
Lewis disagreed with such opposition. “The police can’t police themselves,” she said.
