Reform from Within: We Support Whistleblower Cops

Whistleblower cops are a vital but rarely supported part of criminal justice reform efforts today. 

In New York, and across the nation, many officers on the front lines of over-policed minority communities often have a truth to tell. These good cops who try to speak out are often retaliated against as minorities themselves or conscientious objectors to harmful policing practice.

As seen in the case of "The NYPD12" , documented in the film Crime + Punishment , active duty police officers often have little support or incentive to speak out against miscarriages of law and justice they may observe or be pressured to take part in. 

Who will benefit:
Officers who choose to shed light on discriminatory practices and problems in policing, encounter many kinds of challenges which require not just our moral support, but also financial.  Whistleblowers often cite the economic harm that comes to themselves and their families as a reason for not speaking out. This fund will be made available to police officers who have experienced financial hardship as a result of blowing the whistle on discriminatory or unjust policing of minority communities or unjust retaliation against minority officers.

What Funds will be used for:
This fund aims to offer financial assistance to support current and future whistleblower cops in three of the following ways:

   - Legal expenses due to discriminatory policing  & unjust retaliation
   - Loss of essential wages due to unjust retaliation
   - Mental health and wellness services needed due to unjust retaliation

Why this Fund:
While we hope that an established non-profit organization can eventually take on this responsibility, no whistleblower support fund currently exists.  In the meantime, "Reform From Within" has been established in an effort to support whistleblower cops.

Urgency:
Every time a truth-telling voice from within police departments is silenced, criminal justice reform loses a powerful ally.  Powerful institutions understand how social control can begin with financial control, so we see a great urgency to support current and future whistleblower cops who are hurt financially for speaking out against society's most powerful and unforgiving policing institutions.

Administration of Fund:
This crowd fund is initiated and advised by the producers of Crime + Punishment , but it is designed to be run by whistleblowers and for whistlblowers. All activities will be overseen by the Executive Chairman of the National Latino Officers Association, Anthony Miranda .

Miranda is a former whistleblower against the NYPD, a 20-year veteran Detective and Sgt. of the NYPD and former Chief of Police of A.C.S.  As a deeply trusted member of the law enforcement reform community, Mr. Miranda will act as an independent third party to ensure the fair use and management of all funds.

Disbursement of Whistleblower Funds:
A rotating Advisory Panel of 3 current whistleblower officers will be appointed to nominate, review and approve of each disbursement.  No officer can nominate a current advisory panel member for funding.  After a 6-month term, each of the three panel members will recommend a replacement advisory member.

This Fund will remain open indefinitely, based on effectiveness & need.

Phase 1:
This fund will start by offering support for several current whistleblower officers from the NYPD12 who have experienced great financial harm and difficulty as a result of their attempts to expose harmful policing quotas and discriminatory practices. 

Phase 2:
New and future whistleblower cops in NYC and across the country have continued to reveal themselves each year and will be eligible for support in this second phase.

Phase 3:
National community engagement initiatives. Support for whistleblower officers to create discussion and screening events to engage and educate community and law enforcement on their police reform efforts.

---

Go Fund Me Donations are not tax deductible.  501c3 status is currently being pursued.

If necessary, a separate tax-deductible donation can be made through the organization, Union Docs, which supports both this Reform From Within initiative and the social impact campaign for Crime + Punishment. For more information go to https://donate.uniondocs.org/campaigns/crime-punishment/ and please specify funding use.