Civilian Complaint Board Builds Prosecutor Unit for More Cop Accountability

The Civilian Complaint Review Board, an independent agency that reviews complaints against the NYPD, is hiring 20 employees to staff the Administrative Prosecution Unit, which will investigate and prosecute police misconduct complaints, according to WNYC.

The board received an estimated $1.5 million in funding this fiscal year to staff and run the unit after a pilot program proved successful. 

Previously, the Department Advocate’s Office investigated complaints of misconduct, but critics say this undermined the board’s credibility and that the process lacked transparency.

“This is really a milestone and it’s historical – for the first time we’re being permitted as an outside agency to be prosecuting these cases,” CCRB Chair Daniel Chu said.

The board reviews complaints against officers, such as use of excessive force, abuse of authority, discourtesy and offensive language, but the NYPD will still prosecute all other cases that don’t fall within those categories, according to WNYC. 

A trial commissioner will issue a decision, but Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly still has the final say over what discipline an officer will face.

The board said it expects to hire most staffers by fall and begin training before the end of the year.

“The unit is an important step towards greater police accountability, but it will only be as good the lawyers hired to staff it,” said Chris Dunn, a lawyer with the New York Civil Liberties Union.