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Sides Gear Up For War Over NYPD Inspector General, Racial Profiling

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A showdown is looming over the NYPD stop-and-frisk program. Mayor Michael Bloomberg vetoed two bills aimed at the department on Tuesday, but on Wednesday the City Council started fighting back, saying the bills will become law.

The lawmakers lodged a protest at City Hall, CBS 2's Dick Brennan reported.

"Mayor Bloomberg has chosen not to listen this time. He has chosen to close his ears," Democratic Councilman Brad Lander said.

One bill would create an inspector general to oversee the Police Department, while the other would allow claims of racial profiling against police to be heard in court.

"You've had months and months to fix this problem. Instead mayor, you did nothing. You did nothing. We had to do something for you," Democrat Jumaane Williams said.

The mayor and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly insist the bills will tie the hands of the department and increase crime.

"We are saving lives. I say it's safer than it has ever been. We have record lows in shootings, record lows in murders," Kelly said.

Police unions believe the profiling bill will force cops to have defend themselves in court for doing their jobs.

"This is an upside-down world. Police officers will have to prove themselves innocent because they are assuming they are racially profiling," PBA President Pat Lynch said.

So, will the votes be over-ridden? The mayor has launched an intense campaign to do just that.

The overrides will be voted on sometime in August.

In the coming months a federal judge will decide if stop-and-frisk is constitutional.

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