On a somber April evening in 2019, the life of Kawaski Trawick, a 32-year-old Black gay man, was cut short in his Bronx apartment by NYPD officers. Five years have passed, and the officers involved have not faced disciplinary action, igniting widespread anger and calls for a reevaluation of police conduct. The NYPD, under Commissioner Edward Caban, insists that the officers acted within legal boundaries, a stance that starkly contrasts with public sentiment.
A Rapid Escalation to Lethal Force
The events unfolded rapidly after Trawick accidentally locked himself out while cooking. Within mere minutes of their arrival, officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis escalated the situation; Thompson first deployed his Taser and then resorted to his firearm. The quick transition to lethal force, captured on body cameras, has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and criticism. The NYPD’s decision not to impose disciplinary actions, based on procedural delays, underscores systemic issues within the department’s accountability mechanisms.
A Community’s Outcry for Justice
The response from Trawick’s family and community organizations underscores a deep mistrust in the NYPD’s commitment to justice. Trawick’s parents and activists from various advocacy groups, including the Justice Committee and Communities United for Police Reform, have publicly decried the lack of accountability. Their voices join a chorus of concerned citizens who continue to challenge the NYPD’s practices, demanding reforms that ensure no family has to endure such a devastating loss in silence.