Is it against the law for New York City police officers to visit (or
make contact via mail or phone) prison inmates in the state of New
York?

Please provide evidence - NYPD cops are stubborn!

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 18 Dec 2005 07:59 PST

It can be construed as a violation of the Public Officers Code of Ethics

"An officer or employee of a state agency, member of the legislature
or legislative employee should endeavor to pursue a course of conduct
which will not raise suspicion among the public that he is likely to
be engaged in acts that are in violation of his trust."
Public Officers Law § 74 
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/ethc/POL74.html

There are several other areas of this law that such activity could be
construed as contrary.

NEW YORK STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/ethc/lawsregs.html

Does this answer your question sufficiently?

tutuzdad-ga

Absolutely not.  Would your position be that just because a person is
in prison the police cannot contact them?  Just like any other citizen
the prisoner does not have to talk with or communicate with the
police.  But the police are completely within the law to make the
contact.

Thanks tutuzdad, it does answer my question.  My friend is an NYPD
officer, and has consistently stated that he can't make contact with
our mutual friend in prison, although he couldn't say why.  I would
agree that this type of activity could raise suspicion among the
public that he is engaging in acts that are a violation of trust.