Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Civilian Complaint Review Board Chair Ernest F. Hart have announced an agreement in principle to have CCRB attorneys prosecute, in the Police Department's trial room, a portion of those cases stemming from CCRB complaints against police officers.

Although details of the plan have yet to be established, Commissioner Kelly and Chair Hart agreed to launch a pilot project in coming months in which a certain number of CCRB generated cases would be tried by the independent agency’s attorneys.

Last year, there were approximately 130 administrative trials, all of which were prosecuted by NYPD attorneys. Twenty of the total stemmed from CCRB complaints. In some instances, CCRB attorneys served as “second seat,” or co-counsel in prosecuting these cases at trial.

“The Police Department and the CCRB have worked closely and successfully to improve the way in which allegations against police officers are adjudicated, including the creation of a ‘second seat’ in the NYPD’s prosecution at trial of administrative cases, and the encouragement of mediation in non-force related cases between accused officers and civilian complainants,” Commissioner Kelly said. “I look forward to cooperating further with Chair Hart, the entire Board and its dedicated staff.”

Chair Hart said: "The CCRB welcomes the opportunity to expand its civilian oversight role by prosecuting the cases it has investigated.  Based on the success of our past collaborative efforts, the Board is confident that today's agreement will likewise benefit all New Yorkers."   

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