Hearing officer credits the agency's witnesses' testimony that their conduct towards the disciplined employee was not discriminatory or retaliatory
Rigaud v City of New York, 2016 NY Slip Op 00628, Appellate Division, First Department
The New York City Police Commissioner approved the disciplinary hearing officer's finding that Clifford M. Rigaud was guilty of misconduct and imposed a penalty of a “one-year dismissal probation period” and the forfeiture of 30 suspension days and 20 vacation days. The Appellate Division sustained the Commissioner’s decision.
The court said that substantial evidence supports the findings of misconduct, rejecting Rigaud’s contentions that his conduct and loss of temper were justified responses to allegedly discriminatory conduct by coworkers and superiors and retaliation for discrimination complaints which he filed, noting that the hearing officer credited the agency's witnesses' testimony, including their testimony that their conduct was not discriminatory or retaliatory.
Citing Berenhaus v Ward, 70 NY2d 436, the Appellate Division ruled that the Commissioner did not abuse his discretion in imposing the penalty, “which is not shockingly disproportionate to the offense.”
The decision is posted on the Internet at:
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