NYC's controversial 'stop and frisk' policy ruled unconstitutional, leading to 'indirect racial profiling'

The New York City Police Department's controversial stop and frisk policy violates the U.S. Constitution, a federal judge has ruled.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he will appeal against the decision of the federal judge ruling.

The judge ruled that the policy violates individuals' constitutional rights because it intentionally discriminates based on race.

According to CBS News, the ruling is a significant judicial rebuke for what the mayor and police commissioner have defended as a life-saving, crime-fighting tool.

New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the department is the most racially diverse police force in the world and accusations that it engaged in of racial profiling were incorrect.

Instead of ordering an end to the practice, U.S. District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin has opted to reform it, the report said.

She did not give specifics on how that would work but instead named an independent monitor who would develop reforms to policies, training, supervision, monitoring and discipline, the report added.