Bell Shooting Spurs Reforms in NYPD

New York, NY —

Months before the acquittal of three officers in the shooting death of Sean Bell, Police Commissioner Kelly had instituted several reforms aimed at avoiding a similar tragedy in the future. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has this update.

Top on the list of 19 reforms was a first in the nation mandate instituted last year that requires every officer who wounds or shoots someone on or off duty to submit to a breathalyser.

At the time of the shooting Commissioner Kelly said there was no indication that officers drinking had played a role in the case. But In the Bell case officers had been drinking before the shooting by virtue of a Department policy that holds undercovers to a two drink limit to establish their cover. But how much they actually were drinking was never independently established.

Under Department guidelines in effect at the time of the Queens shooting those officers were judged fit for duty based only on their interaction with Supervisors.

Ironically Sean Bell's alcohol blood level was determined to be over the legal limit and was made part of the trial record. Other post Bell reforms included an overhaul of undercover recruiting, training and supervision.

For WNYC I am Bob Hennelly