City officials say they’re about to take the first step in appealing a federal judge’s ruling imposing reforms on the police department’s stop-and-frisk strategy.

The city’s top lawyer, Michael Cardozo, says in a statement a notice of appeal will be filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

Judge Shira Scheindlin issued the decision Monday. She said the New York Police Department was making the street stops based on race and called for an independent monitor to make sure police follow measures restricting the program.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called the ruling unfair and warns it will damage the NYPD’s successes in fighting violent crime.

(AP)