Advocate named 1st Blake Fellow
The Civilian Complaint Review Board’s first James Blake Fellow, named after the tennis player tackled in a case of mistaken identity, was awarded to a nationallyrecognized reform advocate who has dedicated her life to civil liberties.
Among Bernadette Brown’s goals is to promote the CCRB across the city, and help residents become more comfortable with following through on complaints.
“After years of examining law enforcement and criminal justice institutions, I have learned that progress starts with meeting people where they are, listening to their concerns, and taking action based on what they need,” Brown said.
“I hope to identify potential policy changes that ultimately can lead to behavioral changes at the agency and within the city,” added Brown, an expert on policing, criminal justice and jujustice venile reform. Brown has a tall task ahead of her.
Of the 4,487 complaints filed with the agency in 2017, 55% were closed without a full investigation.
Cases are typically closed because the person who filed the complaint, or a key witness, does not fully cooperate with CCRB investigators.
Critics have said the agency has been too quick to shut down the cases..
Brown’s role will be to reduce the amount of closures by working closely with people who file complaints, and work with them to follow through.
The fellowship was created two years after an NYPD officer, James Frascatore tackled Blake outside a Midtown hotel.
The cop had mistaken him for someone being spied as part of a creditcard fraud ring.
Frascatore was punished with a loss of five vacation days in February, half of what was recommended by the CCRB, sources said.