Loretta Lynch to advise New York attorney general on probe into NYPD protest response

Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch will advise New York Attorney General Letitia James’s (D) investigation into the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) interactions with demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd, officials announced Wednesday.

“The right to peacefully protest is one of our most basic civil rights, and we are working without rest to ensure that right is protected and guarded,” James said in a statement. “As we continue our investigation, I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to seek answers and accountability, and that includes calling on the sharpest minds to lend their expertise.”

“There is no greater responsibility of government than the protection of its citizens,” Lynch said. “It is time to examine recent events to ensure that all New Yorkers receive truly equal protection under the law. I look forward to working with Attorney General James and her outstanding team on these important issues.”

Lynch, who served as attorney general under President Obama from 2015 to 2017, previously led the federal probe into the Chicago Police Department’s use of force after the shooting of Laquan McDonald, finding that department regularly used force that was “unjustified, disproportionate and otherwise excessive” and developing an extensive reform plan.

Barry Friedman, the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Professor of Law at NYU Law and faculty director for NYU’s Policing Project, which partners with police and communities to develop transparency and equity initiatives to promote public safety, will also advise James’s office.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced in late May that James would investigate the NYPD’s handling of the protests, saying she would have 30 days to file a report on footage that appears to show violence against peaceful demonstrators.

“This is a moment of reform. I’m not going to judge it just on what I saw on the video,” he added at the time. “People deserve answers and accountability.”

Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody sparked nationwide protests over racism and police brutality.