After openly criticizing the New York Police Department’s handling of a significant disciplinary case and seeking to increase the jurisdiction of the oversight board that examines claims of misconduct by NYPD officers, its chairwoman announced her resignation.
The Civilian Complaint Review Board’s temporary chair, Arva Rice, resigned on July 22nd without providing a reason. Many had anticipated her departure since early spring. According to a source, the former police captain and current mayor, Eric Adams, wanted Rice removed from her position in April. Rice will depart on August 15.
The New York Civil Liberties Union’s legal director, Chris Dunn, argued that Rice’s departure was indicative of a larger trend in which the Adams administration undermined the accountability of the New York Police Department.
The police union leaders who frequently accused the review board, formally known as the CCRB, of abusing its power were pleased by the departure. The head of the city’s main police union, Patrick Hendry, expressed his gratitude for the leadership shift at CCRB, saying that it is great news for the dedicated officers whose careers have been ruined by anti-police extremists on the board. Hendry has criticized a number of issues, including the bail rules passed by the Albany state legislature, which allow for the rapid release of many convicted felons.
Eric Adams ran as a Democrat on the platform of lowering crime rates and rebuilding faith in the police force. He drew on his background as a former captain and co-founder of a Black officers’ leadership group that exposed alleged prejudice inside the agency.
Adams has been a vocal supporter of the municipal police since assuming office in 2022, defending high-ranking personnel on charges of wrongdoing and fighting to block laws that are unpopular with the force.
Adams began a dispute with progressive City Council members earlier this year when he rejected a bill that would have required the department to gather and disclose additional data on police contacts with New Yorkers. Some believe that the mayor has allowed the NYPD to use social media to chastise anybody they see as detractors, such as judges and council members.
Some proceedings against officers have dragged on for years, adding fuel to the controversy surrounding the NYPD’s disciplinary procedure. In January of this year, when he laid out his goals for 2024, Adams pledged to halve that time.
