Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Mayor Byron Brown signed Cariol's Law into effect. The duty to intervene requires Buffalo Police officers to step in when officers act inappropriately or risk injury to others.
"In a society governed by laws it is vital that everyone understands that no one is above the law, not even police officers. The Duty to Intervene requirement, mandated by the Department's Manual of Procedures as well as provisions of state and federal law, is now being further reinforced as a fundamental principle to our City's approach to police reform as well as improving the public's level of trust in and understanding of how the Buffalo Police Department functions. Along with the other steps—especially the Buffalo Reform Agenda—my Administration and the Council have taken to improve the delivery of Police services in the City of Buffalo, this law will re-emphasize that every officer's first duty is, and always should be, the protection of the people they serve," says Brown.
"The first ever real police reform that holds Police Officers accountable called Cariol's Law has officially been signed and passed first in the City of Buffalo. My team and I thank 6he community for the feverish efforts and continued support of this very, very long journey in passing Cariol's Law. We would like to thank the Common Council for their leadership on this very important law. We also would like to give a nod to Mayor Byron Brown who made the pertinent decision to have his legacy placed not the right side of history by signing Cariol's Law," says Horne in a statement. "feel incredibly vindicated as my law pioneered reform and is now etched into history. In all, not only do I deserve my pension in its totality, I deserve to be made whole."
Horne was fired after she pulled fellow Officer Gregory Kwiatkowski's arm from around the neck of a handcuffed domestic violence suspect. The 19-year veteran was fired just short of collecting a pension.
