Councilmember Treyger’s Legislation Will Explicitly Outlaw Sex Between Police Officers And Those In Custody

Today, Councilmember Mark Treyger unveiled new legislation aimed at making it explicitly illegal for law enforcement officials to have sexual contact with any person in their custody.

The new law comes in the wake of a legal case in which two police officers were charged with the rape of an 18-year old woman they had handcuffed and placed under arrest. When the charges first came to light, the accused officers claimed the sex was consensual.

While state law does forbid sexual contact between corrections officers and inmates, as well as parole officers and parolees, it does not specifically forbid sexual contact between police officers and those in custody.

In response, Councilmember Treyger has drafted legislation to make it explicitly illegal for police officers to have sexual contact with individuals in their custody, as well as a resolution calling for state lawmakers to amend the State Penal Code as well.

The two officers accused in the Coney Island case have quit the NYPD, but still face a 50-count indictment. They will return to court January, 18, 2018.

Tomorrow, November 16, Councilmember Treyger’s legislation will be introduced to the City Council.