NYPD Watchdog Chairman Steps Down Day After Being Sued For Gender-Based Slur
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP)-- The chairman of New York City's police watchdog agency has resigned a day after being sued by its executive director.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Richard Emery resigned Wednesday as chairman of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board.
"I want to thank Richard for his service to this city," de Blasio said in the announcement. "Over the past two years, the CCRB has resolved cases much more quickly and efficiently."
Emery said in a statement that a "confluence of recent circumstances'' would preclude him from continuing in his post.
The executive director of the watchdog agency filed a lawsuit against Emery on Tuesday alleging he used a gender-based slur against her and was undermining her authority.
"Had a police officer made remarks similar to Mr. Emery's on two occasions, that officer would have been harshly disciplined. The next CCRB chairperson should be held to the same high standards that police officers are. Our hope is that whoever replaces him will be a fair-minded and reasonable person who has a basic respect for police officers and the difficult job that they do," Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said in a released statement.
Emery had also come under scrutiny because his law firm represented some clients who were suing the city police department.
The CCRB investigates claims of misconduct by police, but the NYPD has the final say on whether discipline is imposed.
Emery was recently in the spotlight after making a controversial remark comparing NYPD unions to pigs.
Asked whether Emery should resign over saying police unions were "squealing like a stuck pig," de Blasio said no.
Emery made the remark to The Daily News when discussing NYPD police unions trying to push him out of his position.
Emery was appointed by de Blasio to serve as chair of the CCRB in July 2014.
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