Leonard Levitt, a veteran journalist who spent 10 years covering the NYPD for Newsday and now writes at his own website, NYPD Confidential, is suing the NYPD over its refusal to grant him a press pass. In this video, Levitt explains how the NYPD's action are "strictly retaliatory," because of his past writing exposing NYPD issues.
Levitt notes that Police Commissioner Ray Kelly actually complained to Newsday editors about his coverage, not even complaining to him directly, and believes it was a "gesture of...intimidation." He also adds that press passes, which allow its holders access beyond police and fire barriers, to public events, to high profile court cases, and to police headquarters, are issued to people who don't deserve them, based on the NYPD's standards.
The NYCLU filed the lawsuit on Levitt's behalf and executive director Donna Lieberman says, "We want to ensure that the NYPD is applying its press pass policy uniformly and fairly. New Yorkers are entitled to know if the NYPD is stifling investigate reporting aimed at uncovering inappropriate, illicit or illegal behavior within the Department.”
Some NYPD Confidential reading: Levitt's columns on the Sean Bell shooting, how the police chauffeured Kelly's wife, and his latest, about an apparent split between the Post and Kelly. Levitt also contributed an illumination chapter about the NYPD to the book, New York Calling.
