By Rocco Parascandola and Colin Mixson
New York Daily News
NEW YORK — A judge on Tuesday ordered the NYPD to reinstate 31 rookie cops the department had attempted to fire over allegations they were unqualified to serve and therefore illegally hired.
State Supreme Court Justice Phaedra Perry-Bond directed the affected probationary officers be returned to active duty after the NYPD in July told the officers to either resign or face termination.
The head of the department’s Candidate Assessment Division had allowed the applicants to attend the NYPD Academy despite various factors that disqualified them, including prior felony convictions, lying on their applications, or failing to inform the department that their driver’s licenses were suspended due to traffic infractions, according to NYPD officials.
Among the “unqualified” officers was one rookie who “reported using LSD and marijuana to cope with stress,” while another showed “an extensive history of poor decision-making and recklessness,” the NYPD said in court papers.
The Police Benevolent Association union sued on behalf of the affected rookies, obtaining a court order blocking the planned firings, and the officers were placed on restricted duty.
“We are grateful to have reached a resolution that allows these police officers to continue their careers,” said PBA President Patrick Hendry. “They have already proven their dedication and value on the job, and we are glad they will get the opportunity to keep protecting our city.”
The judge’s ruling returns the impacted officers to active duty, but their time on restricted duty does not count toward their 24-month probationary period, during which they can be terminated for any reason.
After that, officers have the recourse of a departmental trial.
“I’m appreciative that we have found a path forward for these officers to protect and serve our city,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “As the NYPD closes out the single largest hiring year on record, our department remains laser-focused on continuing to drive crime down and delivering on historic public safety gains.”
The head of the Candidate Assessment Division, Inspector Terrell Anderson, was transferred to another unit and stripped of his gun and shield after investigators learned he allowed the unqualified candidates to continue with the hiring process, according to NYPD officials.
Earlier this year, Tisch said the NYPD is in a “hiring crisis” and reduced the number of college credits required to join the force. Incoming recruits only need 24 college credits, a steep drop from the 60 previously required.
“We’re practically begging people to take the exam,” Tisch said at a breakfast sponsored by the Association for a Better New York in February, claiming “vile” defund the police and anti-cop rhetoric has drained the potential applicant pool.
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