New Bill Would Require NYPD to Get Suspect's Search Consent

Members of New York City's City Council are introducing a bill that would force police officers to get written or audio permission from a suspect before they could conduct a search, according to the New York Post .

Under legislation being introduced this week, police officers would have to get consent for searches when they don't have a warrant, aren't making an arrest or don't have probable cause.

Only two states — West Virginia and Colorado — have laws with similarly stringent requirements.

Suspects currently have the right to reject a search — but police have no obligation to notify them of that right and certainly don't need written permission.

Police union leaders immediately blasted the measure as a free pass for potential criminals.