Is the NYPD Undercharging Felonies to Make Their Stats Look Good?

robert gim's flickr

This year, the NYPD has been accused of massively under-reporting crimes, and refusing to investigate crimes in order to keep statistics down. Many of these accusations stem from secret recordings made by former Officer Adrian Schoolcraft. We received a tip that an email has been circulated to the entire Bronx DA's office ("probably by accident") from a high-level prosecutor, who describes their observations of the NYPD undercharging cases:

Subject: complaint room issue: under charging of cases
Good Morning All,

I have been making several observations in the complaint room concerning officers clearly under charging cases, either on their own or based on orders from their supervisors such as charging misdemeanor offenses and it is clear from the arrest report facts that the case is factually a felony or charging a lesser felony than what the facts call for (e.g. forcible touching but the case is actually a Rape 1 or Assault 2 and the case is an attempted murder). Therefore, I need all Assistants to notify me verbally and via email when cases have been grossly undercharged.

I need to know the following information (in an email):

Name of defendant(s)
Arresting Officer, shield number and precinct
Initial arrest charges
Top charge on the complaint
Whether the officer was instructed to charge a lesser offense, if so
the name and rank of the person who instructed him/her
Whether the officer was told the same facts that you were told by the victim

We contacted the Bronx DA's office for a comment.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in News on October 31, 2010 10:56 AM

Comments [rss]

dgeee

It isn't politically correct to prosecute our local career criminal element. On another note, if you aren't going to prosecute Wall St or our illustrious bankers who have essentially tanked our economy, the rest should get a pass too.

dadoc

This is a surprise? Robbery becomes "lost property". Assault is a Discon. And forget about anybody willing to file a 61, never happen. Reminds me witnessing a pursesnatch in Union Square Greenmarket a few years ago. Old lady hits the deck, down with injuries. Captain shows up, she's still on the ground. Doesn't ask "Are you OK?". First question: "Did she push you?". The look of relief on his face when she said no was apparent. He walked away without a word, happy he could downgrade. Crime is only up or down when it is politically expedient.

JacqueMehoff

Will this be on Law & Order anytime soon? don't think so.

it will all balance out in the end.

sjack

Are you serious? The Bronx DA is notorious for not prosecuting or downgrading felonies, and they're complaining about the NYPD? Here's a tip: maybe the cops are undercharging the defendants because they know that the Bronx ADA will drop the charges anyway!

Petey

Someone just hit the nail on the head.

Peter

The guy was just test-firing his new gun, and the victim just happened to be walking in front of it at the time. Nothing but a tragic mistake.

Neverhaditsogood

Hey, you Republican stupes made these people automatic heroes just for wearing a badge. Don't turn around and demonize them for being human.