NEW YORK (AP) - Proposals on New York City's "stop-and-frisk" practice used by police are headed for a high-profile airing. City Council members plan to discuss new rules at hearings this month, starting Wednesday.
Under the practice, police can stop someone they reasonably suspect might be breaking the law. Mayor Michael Bloomberg credits the practice with helping drive down crime. But critics say racial discrimination has driven the stops.
One proposal would appoint an independent inspector general to monitor the practice. Another would require officers to explain the reason for the stop and advise the person of the right to refuse a search.
Officers made a record 684,330 stop-and-frisk stops last year. Blacks or Hispanics were stopped in nearly nine out 10 instances. Only 12 percent of the stops resulted in arrests or tickets.
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