DOI BEGINS REVIEW OF NYPD RESPONSE TO PROTESTS AS AGREED TO IN SETTLEMENT OF LAWSUIT INVOLVING POLICING OF SUMMER 2020 DEMONSTRATIONS

 

Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced today that DOI has begun overseeing the New York City Police Department’s (“NYPD”) response to certain protests, as agreed to in the City’s settlement of In Re: New York City Policing During Summer 2020 Demonstrations, No. 20-CV8924(CM)(GWG) (S.D.N.Y. 2023). As part of “Phase II” of this settlement agreement, DOI’s Protest Response Oversight (“PRO”) Unit is now reviewing NYPD’s response to two protests selected by the Plaintiffs in that litigation: the demonstrations at Brooklyn College on May 8, 2025 and at 26 Federal Plaza on June 14, 2025. The Plaintiffs include the New York State Attorney General’s Office and individuals who brought complaints involving their treatment during Summer 2020 protests, represented by organizations including the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Legal Aid Society. 

If you have witnessed conduct of concern involving NYPD at these or other protests that you would like to share, you can provide information to the PRO Unit using this Online Portal or call the PRO Unit's hotline at: 212-825-6854.

The PRO Unit, which is staffed by an Inspector General, two Special Counsels and two Senior Investigators, was established in March 2025 following the City’s settlement of In Re: New York City Policing During Summer 2020 Demonstrations. This settlement includes reforms to the policies and procedures governing the NYPD’s response to First Amendment Activities (“FAAs”) in New York City and establishes DOI as the oversight authority responsible for monitoring the NYPD’s compliance with the settlement, specifically the NYPD response to protests, demonstrations and other FAAs. The NYPD finalized approval of all policies, procedures, and training curricula pursuant to the settlement agreement, concluding Phase I of the agreement and prompting the start of Phase II.

Two new protests will be selected for DOI’s review every six months until Phase II ends in 2028. The PRO Unit will produce recommendations and several public reports as required by the settlement agreement. These public reports will be filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and will describe the PRO Unit’s findings and recommendations and report on NYPD’s implementation of prior recommendations. The parties involved in the settlement will also be entitled to file a response to these reports. The first public report will be filed in Spring 2027.

During Phase II, the DOI Commissioner will chair a “Collaborative Review Committee” comprised of representatives of the parties involved in the litigation, including a representative of the Office of Corporation Counsel, a representative from the Office of the New York State Attorney General, and two attorneys representing the Plaintiffs, among others. At periodic meetings, the Committee will discuss NYPD’s response to the FAAs reviewed by DOI, provide input on DOI’s recommendations stemming from their reviews, and address any other issues that may arise during Phase II. 

For more information on DOI’s PRO Unit, please visit their webpage by clicking here.