Cops Can Now Sue For Harassment In Nassau County
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coalition of historically-marginalized groups rally against a bill aimed at enhancing penalties for police and other first responders.
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Nassau County lawmakers approved legislation late on Monday that gives the county attorney and the police commissioner the ability to sue ordinary citizens who harass police and other first responders.
The proposal ignited a firestorm of controversy from a coalition of historically marginalized groups who say being a member of the policing profession is not the same as race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or ability.
The bill now allows the police commissioner and county attorney to file suit under the county’s human rights law against anyone who assaults, menaces, or harasses a first responder for as much as $50,000. That’s separate from any potential civil jury awards. The bill borrows language from the New York State penal law, which defines harassment as to “alarm or seriously annoy” a person.