New Yorkers Can Report Cop Sex Abuse To Watchdog Group: Judge

NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers who accuse police of sexual misconduct needn’t rely on the NYPD to investigate and can take complaints to an independent watchdog group instead, a New York State Supreme Court justice has ruled.

The Civilian Complaint Review Board and the New York Civil Liberties Union defeated Tuesday a challenge from the city's largest police union over the watchdog group's right to investigate sexual abuse complaints, court records show.

“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,” said NYCLU staff attorney Lupe Aguirre.

“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.”

Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch decried the court's decision and accused the CCRB of power-grabbing and political maneuvering in pursuit of a bigger budget.

“There are already experienced investigators in multiple agencies, from the NYPD to the district attorneys’ offices, who are specifically trained to deal with serious allegations such as sexual misconduct," Lynch said. "But none of them help expand CCRB’s budget or further their anti-police activism.

"The PBA will continue to fight CCRB’s power-grabs until they start functioning as a ‘fair and impartial’ investigative agency.”

The NYPD's ability to investigate sexual abuse — both within and outside of the police force — has been challenged by New Yorkers who tried to report their attackers, former police officers who said they were harassed by fellow cops, and the Department of Investigations which found the Special Victims Unit routinely neglected and under-funded.

Such reports played a significant role in the CCRB's argument that an independent group was needed to step in and investigate.

Ultimately, Love sided with the watchdogs.

“There is substantial rational basis for the regulation, supported by ample evidence," Love wrote.

"The CCRB's interpretation of its 'abuse of authority' jurisdiction is entitled to 'great weight and judicial deference.'"