PBA president Patrick Lynch, the head of the largest NYPD union, called on Mayor de Blasio to remove the chairman of the Civilian Complaint Review Board because his law firm represents a client whose claims against the city were investigated by the watchdog agency.
The PBA is the second police union to call for CCRB chairman Richard Emery’s head after The Daily News revealed his law firm had been retained by a Queens man suing a sergeant and a cop cited by CCRB for misconduct.
“It is reasonable to conclude that CCRB’s findings and recommendations will play a significant role in that suit, and that a judgment in favor of the plaintiff will result in significant compensation to (Emery’s law firm),” Lynch wrote to the mayor.
CCRB CHIEF’S LAW FIRM REPRESENTS PLAINTIFF FROM CCRB CASE
Emery declined comment.
Meanwhile, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters Lawrence Byrne warned the sergeants’ union that if any of its members make good on a threat to refuse to cooperate with CCRB investigators over the Emery issue next week, they will be suspended on the spot.
NYPD SERGEANTS IN STANDOFF WITH CCRB
Byrne told union officials that it is the department’s position that Emery is operating within the guidelines approved by the city Conflicts of Interest Board allowing his firm to sue the city as long as he recuses himself from cases involving the CCRB.
“My members will follow orders,” Sergeants Benevolent Association president Edward Mullins told The News. “Commissioner Bratton should be embarrassed that his friend (Emery) has put him in this situation with his ethical violations.”
A NYPD spokesman said cops are required to cooperate with internal investigations and that each will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
There was no immediate comment from City Hall.
