Police Commissioner Calls on NYPD to Stop Improper Marijuana Arrests

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http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2011/sep/23/police-commissioner-calls-nypd-stop-improper-marijuana-arrests/



Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has issued an internal order to the New York City Police Department commanding officers to stop arresting people for small amounts of marijuana possession, if the marijuana was never in public view. The directive comes at a time when the NYPD is taking increasing heat about alleged improper marijuana arrests.

Kelly's Operations Order landed on the desk of police supervisors this week, and a copy of it was provided to WNYC.

In the order, Kelly stated at the outset: "Questions have been raised about the processing of certain marijuana arrests. At issue is whether the circumstances under which uniformed members of the service recover small amounts of marijuana ... from subjects in a public place support the charge of Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Fifth Degree."

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Kelly's directive arrives just as City Council members and legislators in Albany are calling for an end to improper marijuana arrests. A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the state legislature that would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana possession in public view. Bill sponsors Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and State Senator Mark Grisanti said they hope the proposed law will reduce incentives for police to improperly recover marijuana from people to make misdemeanor arrests.
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