Pensions for NYPD cops involved in corruption probe sparks outrageamong minority police officers

Pensions for NYPD cops involved in corruption probe sparks outrageamong minority police officers

BY Thomas Tracy — Wednesday, July 6th, 2016  ‘The New York Daily News’

Advocates for black and Hispanic police officersblasted Police Commissioner Bill Bratton on Tuesday for allowing high-ranking chiefs swept up in a massive corruption scandal to retire with their pensions, claiming that scores of minority rank-and-file officers in trouble with the department were not given the same courtesy.

“Bratton had no compassion for our officers,” Anthony Miranda of the National Latino Officers Association said in a press conference with Civil rights attorney Norman Siegel outside 1 Police Plaza.

Miranda demanded an independent commission to investigate the corruption scandal, much like the Knapp Commission investigated NYPD corruption in 1970.

“We have lists of officers who were never afforded this kind of opportunity,” Miranda said. “Where was this compassion to our officers?”

As the “pay to play” corruption probe into the NYPD continues, several high-ranking members of the department caught up in the scandal — but not charged — have been allowed to retire with their pensions, but they had to give up hundreds of thousands of dollars in accrued vacation time. The retirees were also given a “good guy letter” which makes it easier for them to carry firearms and get other employment.

Maribel Diaz, 46, wished her husband Manuel Mateo was afforded the same luxury.

In 2009 — before Bratton took office — Mateo, a 10-year NYPD veteran, was accused of receiving a bribe and was ultimately fired for giving false testimony. Mateo was not allowed to keep his pension or get a good guy letter.

“It was really bad,” Diaz said, standing next to her daughter Mallory, age 9, and Ryan, 12. “At one point we were going to lose our home.”

So far, 11 cops — including several inspectors and chiefs — have been either transferred or stripped of their guns and shields in the gifts-for-favors probe involving Orthodox Jewish businessmen. None of the officers are black. Three are Hispanic. On June 20, three of the officers were arrested on federal charges.

An NYPD spokesman said the department had enough agencies looking over their shoulders.

“The NYPD is subject to an unprecedented level of external independent oversight,” the spokesman said. “All officers are treated the same for both minor and major infractions.”