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Bell shooting inspires police education bill

By Ivan Pereira

The state Senate unanimously passed a new bill last week to improve police procedures and conduct in light of the Sean Bell shooting.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), extends tuition waivers for police officers enrolled in baccalaureate or higher degree programs at state or city colleges.

It was recommended by the Tri-Level Legislative Task Force, a committee of city, state and federal leaders that convened after the Rockaway bridegroom's shooting in 2006 to find ways to upgrade police tactics in New York.

“By providing tuition waivers for two courses per semester, the men and women serving in the NYPD would have strong incentives to further their education,” Padavan said in a statement.

The bill will then move on to the state Assembly, according to the senator.

Bell was killed outside the now-closed Kalua Cabaret in Jamaica on Nov. 25, 2006, hours before he was going to get married. Five undercover officers fired 50 shots at the Richmond Hill native and two of his friends in the mistaken belief that one of them had a gun.

Detectives Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora and Marc Cooper were exonerated in Queens Criminal Court April 25 on manslaughter and reckless endangerment charges for their role in the shooting.

After Bell was killed, leaders and residents protested in large numbers and demanded that the city change the way it fights crime.

State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) created the task force to find solutions and held several meetings across the city with police brass, community activists and policy experts to discuss ways to improve police work.

More than two weeks ago, Smith revealed the findings of the group's study and gave several recommendations on how to train and operate officers, such as administering alcohol tests after they fire a weapon and cameras inside police interrogation rooms.

A bill that was sponsored by Smith and passed in both the state Senate and Assembly two weeks ago would expand the authority of the state's Municipal Police Training Council to create new policies that increase an officer's awareness of race, ethnic, religious and other diversity issues.

“Today we move toward our ultimate goal of opening new channels of police statewide,” Smith said in a statement.

Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.