By John D. Macari Jr
New York City’s Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) pressed lawmakers this week for greater disciplinary authority over the NYPD, with its interim chair, Dr. Mohammad Khalid, telling the City Council that the agency remains powerless despite its mandate to investigate misconduct.
“We are a tiger, but we don’t have the teeth,” Dr. Khalid testified, emphasizing the CCRB’s limited role under current law. The board, established to independently investigate complaints of police abuse, can only issue recommendations — which the police commissioner may accept, reduce, or reject outright.
Push for Final Authority
Khalid called on lawmakers to grant the CCRB final say in disciplinary cases, particularly those involving excessive force, racial bias, abuse of authority, and false statements by officers.
His testimony comes as Albany considers a bill that could reshape the city’s police oversight framework.
Bill S6062 in Albany
Introduced in the State Senate on March 5, 2025, Bill S6062 would amend the New York City Charter to give the CCRB concurrent jurisdiction with the NYPD commissioner over discipline. Under the proposal:
- The CCRB would be empowered not only to investigate and make findings, but also to impose penalties or discipline directly.
- The commissioner would no longer hold exclusive final authority in misconduct cases.
- Unsubstantiated, unfounded, or withdrawn complaints could not be used as the basis for new discipline.
If enacted, the bill would mark the most significant shift in police discipline procedures in decades, transforming the CCRB from an advisory body into one with binding enforcement powers.
Next Steps
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn), is currently before the Senate Committee on Cities. If passed, It would take effect immediately upon passage.
Dr. Khalid told Council members that “without final disciplinary authority in the cases we investigate, even the most serious substantiated allegations of police misconduct can go unchecked”.
“This happens, public trust is weakened. People do not trust the CCRB, and they do not trust the other systems of public safety. This weakening of the public trust also weakens the relationship between the police and the people they serve. This is exactly what the CCRB was designed to help fix”
NYPD Members Reaction
One 20 year veteran of the NYPD who is still active stated “Its Insane, It’s like having an ER nurse do an operation instead of the doctor” in regard to the possibility of the CCRB being given final disciplinary authority. Another active member of the NYPD stated “CCRB should worry about having integrity and the courage to do the right thing even when faced with political pressure”.
CCRB’s Comments
A request for comment was made to the CCRB, who declined to comment and instead directed me to refer to CCRB Interim Chair Dr. Khalid’s Testimony.
NY State Senate Bill S6062
