NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The U.S. Justice Department announced on Thursday it is launching a civil rights investigation into the NYPD's Special Victims Division.
The review will assess whether the division engages in a pattern or practice of gender-biased policing after receiving reports of deficiencies for more than a decade, the department said.
The DOJ said it received information alleging deficiencies that deprived survivors and the public of the prompt, thorough, and effective investigations needed to protect public safety. These failures allegedly "include failing to conduct basic investigative steps and instead shaming and abusing survivors and re-traumatizing them during investigations."
This investigation includes a comprehensive review of the policies, procedures, and training for SVD investigations of sexual assault crimes, including how SVD interacts with survivors and witnesses, collects evidence, and completes investigations, officials said.
The probe will also review any steps the NYPD has taken to address deficiencies in its handling of sexual assault crimes, as well as how SVD allocates staffing and other resources and the services and support offered to survivors of sexual assault.
As part of its investigation, the department said it will reach out to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with SVD.
Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell and NYC Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix have pledged to cooperate with the investigation.
"Survivors of sexual assault should expect effective, trauma-informed and victim-centered investigations by police departments," said Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
Clarke said the probe comes based "on information provided to the Justice Department" that the department finds "significant justification to investigate whether the NYPD's Special Victims Division engages in a pattern or practice of gender-biased policing."
She concluded, "Investigations into sexual assault that comply with the Constitution promote accountability, enhance public safety and foster community trust."
1010 WINS has reached out to the NYPD and the mayor's office for comment.
