Law Enforcement organization calls for the immediate re-assignment of the Chief of the Internal Affairs Bureau Charles Campisi and Chief of the Organized Crime Control Bureau Anthony Izzo as well as an independent commission to investigate corruption in the NYPD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS STATEMENT: 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care is calling for the immediate re-assignment of the Chief of the Internal Affairs Bureau and the Chief of the Organized Crime Control Bureau in light of the escalating allegations of serious corruption and criminality specifically involving the Vice Enforcement Division and the Narcotics Division. The scope and nature of the most recent corruption/criminal allegations at the Brooklyn South Narcotics Division has jeopardized countless sensitive operations. Chief Anthony Izzo must be held fully responsible for the conduct of his supervisors and officers. For Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to surgically re-assign the supervisory structure below Chief Izzo is a display of illogical, subjective favoritism that undermines the integrity of law enforcement. Chief Charles Campisi’s long tenure at the helm of the Internal Affairs Bureau has shown signs of stagnation. Chief Campisi is responsible for conducting operations and investigations that prevent corruption and/or criminality, however the increasing number of serious corruption/criminality cases speaks to the need for a change in strategy, focus and personnel. The Internal Affairs Bureau has become lethargic and reactive. The current entrenched leadership at I.A.B. appears ill-equipped to deal with wide-scale corruption prevention. In light of the increase in allegations of corruption in the NYPD, an independent anti-corruption commission must be immediately established in order to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the NYPD. 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care co-founder Marq Claxton states, “Commissioner Kelly is in denial about the span and scope of corruption that currently exists in the NYPD. He has also failed to recognize the connection between unchecked Police brutality/misconduct and corruption. His simplistic remedy of personnel transfers is a woefully inadequate response to this potentially explosive corruption scandal. Furthermore, the lack of accountability by both Chief Anthony Izzo and Chief Charles Campisi speaks to the NYPD’s refusal to hold its high level executives responsible for the conduct of their subordinates and charges. A full investigative commission, with subpoena power can perhaps locate the areas of corruption and devise strategies to combat it that the NYPD would not do voluntarily. A fully empowered investigative Commission can expose the NYPD’s web of deceit, diversion and denial.”
Date: Thursday – January 24, 2008
Time: 12 noon
Location: 1 Police Plaza
Presiding: 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care
New York State Senator Eric Adams
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