AG James Releases Video of NYPD Commissioner Shea Testimony in Ongoing Investigation into Interactions Between Police and the Public

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the video testimony of New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Dermot Shea in her office’s ongoing investigation into recent interactions between the NYPD and the public. NYPD Commissioner Shea’s testimony follows two days of public hearings that heard testimony from 100 witnesses over 17 hours.

“In addition to testimony from the public, elected officials, and community leaders, the NYPD’s testimony serves an important role in our investigation,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers deserved to hear directly from the commissioner, and I thank him for his participation in these proceedings. We are reviewing all testimony, and are continuing to act independently and transparently to seek answers, to ensure that the truth is laid bare, and to demand accountability for any wrongdoing.”

The Attorney General’s Office also released videos of the first two days of oral testimony and all of the written public testimony that was submitted to the office. All written testimony, videos, and transcriptions of the oral testimony that was given on June 17 and 18 will be made available at: ag.ny.gov/nypd-protest-response.  

The hearing, which began on June 17, sheds light on how police in New York have handled protests addressing police misconduct. Attorney General James presided over the hearing, and was joined on the first two days by former United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch and NYU Policing Project Founding Director Barry Friedman, who serve as special advisors in the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) investigation into interactions between the police and the general public.  

The OAG is charged with conducting an independent investigation into the NYPD’s actions throughout the recent protests and the policies and systemic realities that inform these actions. The OAG has received hundreds of submissions to the complaints email address and online portal. The OAG is reviewing those submissions, reviewing camera phone footage, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing relevant documents that have been provided by the NYPD at the OAG’s request.