Two NYPD officers accuse City Hall of racial bias and backdoor dealings that prevented their promotions.

On Wednesday, NYPD Officer Brian Larkin received the “Mayor’s Excellence in Customer Service” award at the police headquarters, acknowledging his significant contributions to community affairs in the 19th Precinct. The recognition was celebrated on social media by the NYPD as evidence of Larkin’s unwavering commitment and professionalism in serving the Upper East Side community.

Despite this public honor, Larkin has faced repeated setbacks in his pursuit of promotion to detective under the current administration led by Mayor Eric Adams. Notably, during his tenure, eleven other community affairs officers, whom Larkin argues possess less experience and fewer accomplishments, have been advanced to detective positions. The disparity in promotion opportunities raises important questions about the criteria used for evaluations within the department.

The position of detective presents clear financial benefits, including an increase of approximately ,000 in annual salary and overtime, as well as an additional ,000 in post-retirement pension contributions. In contrast, the award received by Larkin contained only a certificate, which he perceives as minimal compared to the substantial rewards associated with a promotion.

Larkin’s frustrations echo those of fellow community affairs officer Stephen Jones, who has also raised concerns about promotion practices within the NYPD. Jones and Larkin recently filed a lawsuit in Manhattan, alleging that two senior officials in Community Affairs, Deputy Commissioner Mark Stewart and Assistant Commissioner Alden Foster, have instituted a biased promotion process favoring Black and Hispanic officers, as well as those with connections to the Guardians, a prominent fraternal organization for Black officers.

The lawsuit further alleges that influential figures, such as former senior mayoral adviser Tim Pearson and former Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, manipulated promotion decisions, undermining existing structures and rendering the NYPD vulnerable to politicization. These assertions point to a more systemic issue in the management of promotions, suggesting that the department has shifted from operational meritocracy to a politically motivated patronage system.

Following investigations that led to their resignations, neither Pearson nor Banks have faced criminal charges, yet their involvement in the controversy raises ethical concerns about their governance. While the NYPD generally faces scrutiny over disparities in promotion among minority groups, Larkin and Jones represent a less common perspective—white officers alleging discrimination in the promotion process.

The lawsuit shines a light on how Larkin and Jones, despite their long-standing dedication to public safety, feel their careers have been jeopardized by the evolving dynamics within the department. Historical promotion metrics indicate that over the past two years, several officers with substantially less experience have been advanced to detective, further entrenching feelings of inequity.

This case poses critical questions about the integrity of the NYPD’s promotion system and suggests a need to review the underlying processes that dictate career advancement in law enforcement. The ongoing challenges suggest not only a struggle for Larkin and Jones but possibly a larger dilemma facing the NYPD as it seeks to maintain public trust and uphold equitable practices in its ranks.

The NYPD has opted to refrain from commenting on the ongoing lawsuit, fueling speculation about the department’s internal practices and the implications for current and future officers.

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