New York, NY – The NYPD has been putting all its recruits through a new training program in the wake of the Sean Bell police shooting — including a mandatory panel with outspoken police critics like the Rev. Al Sharpton, it was revealed.
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In its efforts to address criticism after the 2006 shooting, the department has been sending its recruits to a mandatory “no-holds barred session” with Sharpton and other NYPD critics at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, police said.
Rookie police officers are also mandated to meet with community contacts in their first six months.
“Commissioner Kelly also instituted immersion training so that recruits – in addition to existing cultural awareness training in the academy – received intensive training during their last four days before hitting the streets – including no holds barred sessions with NYPD critics like Rev Sharpton at the Apollo, followed by mandatory community contacts during their first six months on patrol,” the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Paul Browne said in a statement.
Undercover NYPD officers shot Sean Bell to death in a hail of 50 bullets as he exited his bachelor party in Queens on Nov. 25, 2006. The 23-year-old Bell was unarmed. Police said they were defending themselves when Bell rammed one of their officers with his car.
The Federal Department of Justice told the Bell family Tuesday afternoon they would not pursue a criminal case.
The NYPD would not comment on the decision, but said it allows the department to move ahead with internal administrative charges against the officers, who are currently on modified duty.
The NYPD also implemented a host of other changes in the department after the shooting, including mandatory alcohol testing after police-involved shootings.
Ha! Are they meeting with Louis Farrakhan and Achmadinejad too?
How about the recruits meeting with the family of Yankel Rosenbaum H”yd? Tell the Reverend that the “interlopers” demand their civil rights!
It’s Bloomberg times!
Absurd, he’s the one who instigated the rioters in crown heights, shame on the Mayor.
so pathetic although we could say that it might help ready rookie officers for the obnoxoius,blowhard,self righteous jerks they’re bound to meet on the job.
Ridiculous!!! This just gives this rabble rouser more credability. Do they think this will actually do anything?? If something happens in the future will Big Al say “Oh! I met with him when he left the academy and he received sensitivity training. This is not a raical incident.” Of course not!!
Why Rev Sharpton? Does he have a semicha? Who ordained him?
Why doesn’t Sharpton go through Police Officer training first & then let him speak.
Excellent. Now the Cops know him and can finger him when he does a drug deal on their streets. Sharpton is going down. He is a fool and all fools go down in the end.