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Know Your Rights
Source: New York Daily News
Subject: Immigration
Type: Media Coverage

Policing School Safety Cops Pushed

The Civilian Complaint Review Board would be able to probe complaints against school safety agents under a proposed new law.

The **School Safety Act would also require the NYPD and Education Department to report arrests, suspensions and other school safety issues to the Council every quarter.

The measure, sponsored by Councilman Robert Jackson and backed by 23 other members, will be introduced Thursday after a rally at City Hall.

"There have to be checks and balances, and students have to know they can file a complaint with an outside agency," said Jackson (D-Manhattan).

The NYCLU said the legislation was prompted in part by several incidents of overly aggressive safety agents, including a case where a girl was arrested for writing on a desk and a 5-year-old was handcuffed.

"What used to be a trip to the principal’s office has now become a trip to the local police precinct," said Udi Ofer, NYCLU advocacy director.

The city’s 5,000 school safety agents are employed by the NYPD.**Legislation representing over a year of direct advocacy by Make the Road New York and its partners in the Student Security Reform Coalition.