NYCLU Statement on NYPD Deceit over ‘Third Jihad’ Movie

“The attempted cover-up of the scope of the NYPD’s involvement in the creation of the film ‘The Third Jihad’ by the Department’s top brass is the latest in a pattern of misinformation and spin by the Department on issues of serious concern to all New Yorkers. It also raises concerns, once again, about the NYPD’s misguided and discriminatory view of New York’s Muslim community.

“Sadly, under this administration, secrecy and spin have become a hallmark of the NYPD. From quotas and stop-and-frisk, to the Demographics Unit and marijuana arrests, misinformation happens all too frequently.

“The Department’s continued use of deceit to cover up its discriminatory policing practices raises serious questions about what’s going on inside 1 Police Plaza and about the commissioner’s role in it. Mayor Bloomberg must immediately investigate these matters and provide oversight and accountability to a Department that has operated with neither for far too long.

“At the very least, we call on the Department to share its training materials with the public. We also call on the commissioner to unequivocally repudiate the message of the film and to communicate that message to the members of his department.”