Officers’ Suit Yields $26M

Marianne Garvey and Kati Cornell Smith, New York Post, Feb. 1

February 1, 2004—The city has agreed to shell out a hefty $26.8 million to end a class-action lawsuit filed by Hispanic police officers who claim they have faced discrimination on the job.

The deal paves the way for the approximately 12,000 black and Hispanic cops to seek a cut of the damages—and enhances the NYPD’s anti-bias policies.

“We have been victorious in obtaining restitution and a new disciplinary system dealing with minor violations to bigger ones,” Anthony Miranda, president of the National Latino Officers Association, said. The lawsuit, filed in 1999 in Manhattan federal court, centered on allegations that minority officers were subjected to more frequent disciplinary action—and harsher punishment—than white cops.

The city does not admit any wrongdoing under the terms of the deal.