Civilian Complaint Review Board: Dozens Of NYPD Officers Should Be Disciplined For Misconduct During Black Lives Matter Protests Last Year
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Dozens of NYPD officers could face disciplinary measures for their conduct during the protests after George Floyd's death.
Hundreds of cases were filed with the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which continues to investigate police conduct.
CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas has more on the preliminary findings.
The clashes between peaceful protestors and police during the summer of 2020 are now coming with consequences.
When asked to describe the protests of last summer, CCRB Chair Fred Davie said, "There were too many officers who simply didn't follow departmental protocol and engage peaceful protesters in a way that is consistent with the patrol guide."
After substantiating claims of misconduct, the CCRB is recommending discipline for 65 officers. More than half of the officers face the most serious charges, requiring a trial that can result in penalties ranging from the loss of vacation days to termination.
Still, one-third of the cases investigated were stalled, after the CCRB found the officers involved could not be identified.
"Name plates that were covered up. They didn't use body-worn camera footage the way they should have. They filed reports that were inaccurate or incomplete," Davie said.
In a statement the police union said, in part, "Police officers were sent out with no plan, no strategy and no support, into a dangerous environment. As a result, dozens of cops were injured, and now dozens more are being made into scapegoats."
That's a claim NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea disputes.
"The officers will have their day in court," Shea said. "At the same time, the vast majority of officers who performed their jobs, you know, in difficult circumstances and did it pretty darn well."
While Mayor Bill de Blasio also pointed to what he described as a small number of officers disciplined, he also acknowledged the potential impact.
"When individual officers don't comport themselves the right way it really hurts the relationship between police and community, which means we have to double down on the training, on the supervision," de Blasio said.
Still, the mayor said it's all a sign that the accountability structures in place are working.
The CCRB is still investigating more than 100 additional cases. A comprehensive report with recommendations will come out next year.
The state attorney general and individual protestors also sued the NYPD over similar complaints.