50-a is a section of the New York Civil Rights Law which deems “personnel records” of police officers, firefighters and corrections officers “confidential and not subject to inspection or review” without the officer’s permission.

50-a is a NYS statute that carves out unnecessary & harmful secrecy for police, fire and corrections. 50-a is routinely used to shield police misconduct and failed police disciplinary processes from public view. A repeal of 50-a would provide much needed transparency on police misconduct and discipline in New York State, and help address the systemic lack of accountability for officers who engage in misconduct.  Other existing FOIL statutes will continue to protect private information about officers (like their home address) once 50-a is repealed. The support of legislation to repeal 50-a is included in the New York State 2020 Legislative Agenda.

I used Resistbot on Twitter to send Gov. Cuomo, Assembly Member Glick and Sen. Hoylman a letter (above).

To do this, ‘Sign RISTUS’ to 50409, or to @resistbot on iMessage, Messenger, Twitter, or Telegram. You can also use this email template. And here is Brooklyn Branch of the NAACP with overview and form to send.