Office Of the Community Liaison

The Office of the Community Liaison (OCL) is an independent, court-connected office created within the federal monitorship of the New York City Police Department's stop, question, and frisk and trespass enforcement practices. Our mission is to make sure the voices of New Yorkers, especially those most affected by policing, reach the Federal Monitor and the Court and help shape police reform.

Who we serve: We work with residents across New York City's five boroughs. That includes public housing residents, young people, people affected by the criminal legal system, immigrant communities, and the neighborhoods most affected by stop-and-frisk and trespass enforcement.

What we do: OCL listens, educates, and builds partnerships. We host Community Conversations and information sessions. We collect community feedback through outreach, surveys, and listening sessions. We work alongside tenant associations, youth programs, faith communities, and local organizations. We turn what we hear into reports filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and shared with the public.

Our values:

• Independence: We are separate from the NYPD, the City, the plaintiffs, and the Monitor, so community voices are heard without a party's agenda.
• Trust: We build real relationships and welcoming spaces where people feel safe sharing their experiences.
• Respect and confidentiality: We protect community members' privacy and report themes responsibly.
• Accessibility: We use plain language and offer many ways to take part.
• Accountability: We close the loop by sharing back what we heard and how it is being used.

OCL does not investigate individual misconduct complaints. We connect community members to organizations that can help when they need it.