CCRB chair resigns, citing false accusations from NYPD union as reason for departure.
Dr. Mohammad Khalid has announced his resignation from the position of interim chair of the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), citing a campaign of misinformation conducted by Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry as the primary reason for his departure. In a formal letter addressed to Mayor Eric Adams, Khalid expressed his discontent with what he described as smears against his character, specifically allegations labeling him as “anti-cop” and misrepresentations of his tenure as a board member during the Bloomberg administration.
Khalid, who has served on the CCRB for a decade, emphasized his commitment to fairness in his professional role, refuting claims of bias against law enforcement. In his resignation letter, he stated that Hendry’s attacks not only affected him personally but also had a detrimental impact on his family and health. The tension between the CCRB and the New York Police Department (NYPD) underscores a long-standing rift rooted in the oversight and accountability of police conduct, an issue that has repeatedly garnered public attention.
In response to Khalid’s resignation, a spokesman for Hendry contended that the criticisms leveled against Khalid were not personal but rather pertained to his voting record on disciplinary actions involving police officers. According to the union, Khalid’s established pattern of voting against police officers in misconduct investigations reflects a bias that undermines the integrity of the CCRB. Hendry also pointed out that Khalid’s views align with those of Mayor-elect Mamdani regarding the CCRB retaining final authority in disciplinary cases, which he argued could jeopardize police officers’ ability to receive fair treatment.
As departments navigate the complexities of police accountability, the relationship between the CCRB and police unions has become increasingly fraught. This ongoing tension has historical precedence; for instance, Khalid’s predecessor, Arva Rice, resigned after a contentious relationship with police officials culminated in pressure from the mayor’s office.
Mayor Adams acknowledged Khalid’s contributions to fostering police accountability within New York City. However, the mayor refrained from addressing the specifics of the dispute with Hendry. Additionally, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams expressed concern over the negative impacts of union attacks on Khalid’s well-being and professional efforts, reinforcing the challenging dynamics that characterize the interplay between law enforcement agencies and civilian oversight bodies in the city.
Dr. Khalid’s resignation leaves a vacancy at the CCRB, with no immediate successor named, as the city continues to navigate the critical dialogue surrounding police conduct and community oversight.
