Dozens of NYPD officers should be disciplined for their acts during the Black Lives Matter protests after George Floyd’s death, the police department’s oversight agency ruled Monday. The Civilian Complaint Review Board recommended the highest level of discipline against 37 officers and less severe discipline against another 28 officers.
More officers could be guilty, but the CCRB was unable to investigate more than a third of complaints because they couldn’t identify the officers; many failed to follow protocol during the protests and covered their names and shields. “After fully investigating over a hundred cases, the CCRB continues its commitment to investigating, and when necessary, prosecuting the officers responsible for committing misconduct against New Yorkers during last year’s Black Lives Matter protests,” CCRB Chair Fred Davie said.
An NYPD spokesperson said the department had worked with the CCRB on their investigation and would work with the CCRB on adjudicating the cases. “The NYPD has made significant strides and continues to work toward making our discipline processes transparent,” the spokesperson said. “Like any citizen, police officers should be afforded a presumption of innocence until and unless proven guilty.”
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch slammed the CCRB report. “Once again, CCRB is carrying political water for Mayor de Blasio and others who are trying to wash away their own failures during last summer’s protests,” Lynch said. “Police officers were sent out with no plan, no strategy and no support, into a dangerous environment created by politicians’ irresponsible rhetoric. As a result, dozens of cops were injured, and now dozens more are being made into scapegoats. It’s ti