January 28, 2021

An unblemished personnel record considered in determining the disciplinary penalty to be imposed

A New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings Administrative Law Judge [ALJ] recommended a 55-day suspension of a New York Correction Officer [Officer] after finding him guilty of disciplinary charges that alleged that he used impermissible and unnecessary force against an inmate and submitting a false report about the incident.

ALJ Kevin F. Casey found that Correction Officer had entered a holding cell, put his hands around an inmate’s neck, elbowed the inmate in the head, and then held the inmate’s face to the floor based on testimony provided by testimony from an investigator and supported by a surveillance video and documentary evidence.

Judge Casey also found that Officer had filed a false report by omitting details describing  the force used by his fellow officers.

Taking into consideration Officer’s unblemished personnel record prior to the disciplinary action initiated in response to the instant situation as a mitigating consideration in determining to be imposed, ALJ Casey recommended that the appointing authority impose a penalty of a 55 days’ suspension without pay rather than a harsher penalty.

Click HERE to access the complete text of the ALJ's decision.

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