MANHATTAN: More than 30 unvaccinated NYPD detectives could be “whimsically” kicked off the force Friday amid a surge in crime, a new lawsuit argues.
More than 30 NYPD detectives could be fired Friday unless a last-ditch lawsuit over the city’s strict COVID-19 vaccine mandate is successful.
A civil complaint filed Tuesday by the Detectives Endowment Association argues that an “out of control” citywide crime surge isn’t the time to terminate cops behind investigations.
“As such, the need for a well-staffed, properly-trained, and seasoned police force is imperative during these troubling times,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit seeks to quickly suspend the city’s vaccination-or-termination mandate before more than 30 detectives are fired Friday. Up to 10 percent of all detectives could be fired if the mandate is continued to be enforced, the complaint states.
Mayor’s officials have argued that the city’s firings of unvaccinated workers haven’t caused shortfalls in staff.
Jonah Allon, a spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams, said previous courts have upheld the city’s vaccination mandate.
“All city workers – unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation – have had to comply with this mandate as a condition of their employment,” he said in a statement. “We will defend this in court.”
The union’s complaint details instances in which city officials lifted previously strict mandates, including Adams’ controversial decision to exempt professional athletes and entertainment performers from a similar rule.
“By whimsically eliminating a portion of the DEA’s membership on June 3, 2022, as well as more anticipated in the future, Respondents seek to cut to the very heart of the Union because by enforcing the Mandate in such an arbitrary and capricious manner, Respondents could
eliminate approximately 10% of the DEA’s members,” the complaint states.
By Matt Troutman, Patch Staff [Patch]
