The Brian Lehrer Show A Call for More Scrutiny of Deaths in NYPD Custody
Sep 18, 2025
Meghna Philip, the director of the Special Litigation Unit at the Legal Aid Society, dives into urgent calls for oversight of police custody deaths in New York. With five fatalities this year alone, she highlights alarming trends in NYPD medical responses during crises. The discussion covers reforms needed for medical attention, policing practices, and addressing racial disparities. A poignant caller's story showcases aggressive policing, illuminating the human impact behind policy discussions. Philip urges City Council action for necessary investigations and structural changes.
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Deaths After Low-Level Arrests Reveal Systemic Risk
- Legal Aid discovered two people died in courthouse holding cells after being arrested on low-level charges and not receiving urgent care.
- Meghna Philip links these deaths to a renewed aggressive focus on low-level policing that targets vulnerable people.
Client Christopher Nieves Died After Pleading For Care
- Christopher Nieves was arrested for shoplifting food and was found jaundiced and in and out of consciousness in a holding cell.
- Legal Aid attorneys saw he asked for medical care and the NYPD did not provide it before he was found dead.
Oversight Gap Between NYPD And Jail Deaths
- NYPD custody deaths lack rapid, independent oversight unlike deaths at Rikers which trigger immediate reporting and Board of Corrections review.
- Meghna Philip calls this gap a transparency and accountability failure that leaves police investigating themselves.