Photo: ACLU
NEW YORK CITY – Tuesday, in a lawsuit brought by the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) against the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), the Supreme Court of the State of New York authorized the investigation of sexual misconduct complaints against NYPD officers and upheld regulations related to the CCRB’s investigative role and responsibilities.
The New York Civil Liberties Union and American Civil Liberties Union filed a joint amicus brief in the case.
In response, the NYCLU and ACLU issued the following statements:
“Officer misconduct and police sexual violence are matters of grave public importance, and the CCRB has the authority and responsibility to investigate officer incidents when they’re reported. Today’s ruling rightly rejects the police unions’ efforts to thwart accountability and recognizes the importance of the CCRB providing transparency and recourse for communities and people harmed by police violence,” said Lupe Aguirre, Staff Attorney at the NYCLU.
“Today, the court rightly affirmed that sexual violence and harassment committed by police officers is an abuse of authority subject to civilian review,” said Sandra Park, Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU Women’s Rights Project. “Creating a path for accountability outside the police department is the only way to ensure independent oversight and to stop police sexual misconduct.”
Case materials can be found here.
