NYPD stop-and-frisk training - New York News | NYC Breaking News

NYPD stop-and-frisk training

Stop and frisk is one of the most controversial tactics used by cops. But the NYPD says it is a major reason the streets are safer.

The NYPD on Wednesday gave Fox 5 an inside look at how the department teached officers to stop, question, and frisk.

Police officers role-played a street encounter in the demonstration. The purpose is to show new cops how to approach people they suspect may be involved in criminal activity and use stop, question and frisk according to the law.

Since April, the department has trained about 1,300 officers.

The NYPD's own statistics show that the vast majority of those stopped are black and Latino, and are never charged with a crime.

Police cite statistics that say communities of color have a much higher crime rate, and therefore have more victims and more suspects. 

But some critics believe it is racial profiling.

The NYPD insists that no stops are ever made based on race and that it is legally sound.

But a federal class action lawsuit is seeking to challenge that.