At the beginning of the new administration, the Commission inherited a backlog of nearly 5,000 cases, some dating back as far as twenty years. One of the primary goals was to reduce the large inventory of cases quickly and efficiently while at the same time making sure that the complainants received a just resolution. By the end of 2002, the Commission's caseload was reduced to fewer than 1,500 cases, a number that includes approximately 500 new filings that year. This reduction was accomplished by: thoroughly reviewing the merits of all 5,000 cases; retraining the attorneys and investigators; conducting early intervention before the complaint is filed; and beginning complaint investigations at the intake stage.

One Year Policy
Of the nearly 5,000 cases pending at the Commission at the beginning of 2002, many were over ten years old; some as old as twenty years. A City agency mandated to protect New Yorkers from discrimination will fail if cases cannot be resolved in a timely manner. For that reason, the Commission has adopted a strict "One Year" policy on all new incoming cases. Determinations on cases must be made within a year unless complex litigation is involved.

Equal Access Program
The Commission's Equal Access Program provides disability access assistance and education to senior citizens and the disabled community. Many of New York's buildings, stores and other public accommodations are not accessible to people with disabilities. The program assists the disabled by identifying resources that are available, advocating for the disabled when dealing with landlords and/or service providers, and assisting with legal actions if early intervention fails. Community Relations staff members have received training in conducting investigations at various sites requiring disability access and have coordinated their efforts with the Law Enforcement Bureau. As a result of the Commission's aggressive efforts in 2002 during both pre- and post-complaint filings, 75 modifications have been made for individuals with disabilities. These modifications are in addition to the cash settlements.

LEB Staff
The Law Enforcement Bureau consists of 19 attorneys, 19 Human Rights Specialists, including two retired NYPD officers, and 11 support staff members. They are responsible for investigating, prosecuting and litigating discrimination complaints. To coordinate both components of the Commission - LEB and CRB - the Commission conducts regular training for all members of the staff, including the CRB staff, on investigative techniques and the role of the Commission.