Earlier this month, Norwood News reported how the CCRB held a public comment hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 13, on its new rules which were proposed last year and which, if put in place, would restart investigations by the agency into allegations of sexual misconduct by NYPD officers. The new rules would also allow the CCRB to investigate allegations of false official statements made by NYPD officers against civilians in official proceedings, or on official police paperwork.

 

In a November 9th, 2020 press release, the CCRB duly published its new proposed rules for public comment, in accordance with the law. The proposed rules are set to empower the agency to proceed with the investigation of sexual misconduct, and allegations of untruthful statements made by police officers against civilians in official proceedings, or on official NYPD or court documents.

 

According to the November 9th press release, once the new rules were published, a minimum 30-day public comment period was required thereafter, followed by a public hearing on the new rules, which duly took place on Jan. 13. Once the public hearing was completed, the CCRB Board could vote on whether to accept the new proposed rules or not. This is due to happen at a separate planned board meeting which is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 4 p.m.

 

CCRB chair, Fred Davie, wrote in the Nov. 9 press release, “The CCRB is prepared to do the work we set out to do in 2018 — to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the NYPD, and administratively prosecute them when necessary.”

 

He added, “There is no question sexual misconduct is a gross abuse of police authority and New Yorkers need an investigatory body outside of the police department that can receive and investigate these allegations. It is my hope that the Board swiftly adopts these new rules and restarts this work on behalf of all New Yorkers.”

 

It was also noted in the November 9th press release that New York City voters’ had decided to expand the CCRB’s remit to have the agency review alleged untruthful statements made by NYPD personnel. The CCRB had therefore proposed in its new operating rules that the agency’s abuse of authority jurisdiction would also include a review of alleged untruthful statements made by NYPD personnel regarding a civilian during sworn testimony, or on official documentation.

 

CCRB executive director, Jonathan Darche, wrote in the Nov. 9 press release, “These kinds of false statements are as much an abuse of police authority as any abuse of authority allegation currently investigated by the Agency.” He added, “When an officer makes a material false statement in a court proceeding, or on official police paperwork, they are directly harming a civilian, breaking the public trust, and betraying their oath. This misconduct directly implicates CCRB’s abuse of authority jurisdiction and should be investigated by the agency.”

 

A previous story by the Norwood News reported in more detail on the CCRB inner workings and processes and its powers to investigate, mediate, prosecute, and recommend disciplinary action for complaints alleging misconduct by NYPD officers.

 

The agency’s jurisdiction includes excessive and unnecessary force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, and use of offensive language. To further this mission, CCRB issues monthly, biannual, and special statistical and qualitative reports analyzing trends and recurring issues arising from the many thousands of civilian complaints it receives each year.

 

For more information, visit nyc.gov/ccrb.