On Tuesday, March 2nd, CDANY issued a Memo in Support of Legislation Enacting a Prohibition Against the Use of Chemical Agents by Police Against Children, currently on the Senate and Assembly floors as S4002 (Brouk) / A5449 (Meeks). 

From the Memo: 

"The membership of the Chief Defenders Association of New York State (CDANY) observed with shock and horror as the above described weapon was recently utilized on a defenseless, handcuffed 9 year old girl by members of the Rochester Police Department. The child was experiencing a mental health crisis and was crying out for her father; she was being placed in a police car by several adult police officers. The use of pepper spray in this instance was completely inexcusable.

For this reason and to protect children in our communities in the future, CDANY submits this memorandum in support of S4002 (Brouk)/A5449 (Meeks). This Bill is a necessary and obvious first step in police reform, and CDANY urges its immediate passage."

Please see the full memo here.