NEWS RELEASE From New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2020 Contact: Lee Park - 518.474.1010
August 06, 2020
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INSPECTOR GENERAL TAGLIAFIERRO ISSUES REPORT DETAILING MISCONDUCT, LAX DISCIPLINE & FAILED OVERSIGHT OF NY STATE POLICE MEMBERS OF DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE |
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New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro today issued the findings of her office’s investigation of a New York State Police probe into overtime abuse and vehicle misuse by its members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (DETF). The Inspector General’s investigation found that the State Police probe lacked transparency, led to inadequate disciplinary action for personnel, and allowed members who engaged in misconduct to retire “in good standing” without being held accountable.
“My office’s investigation uncovered a lack of controls among the State Police members of this important task force, creating an environment ripe for abuse with insufficient accountability and oversight,” said Inspector General Tagliafierro. “The State Police has implemented significant reforms in the wake of this investigation, but there is more work that must be done to ensure that the Drug Enforcement Task Force members are properly supervised.”
The DETF is a collaborative effort between the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the State Police, charged with combating illicit drug trafficking. The Inspector General initiated a review of the State Police’s probe of DETF members’ time and attendance, the related discipline, and the corrective actions implemented by the State Police.
A State Police review and subsequent investigation by the Inspector General of the DETF stemmed from a February 18, 2018 vehicular accident in Upstate New York involving a State Police senior investigator assigned to the DETF. The State Police reviewed the senior investigator’s work assignments, location of activities, and use of a DETF-assigned vehicle while off duty. Ultimately, the State Police found that the senior investigator abused overtime, misused a state vehicle and directed subordinates to falsify time records.
The State Police then expanded its probe to review the activities of all members assigned to the DETF, finding that certain members falsely claimed overtime. In addition, some members improperly used their assigned vehicles while off-duty and conducted surveillance contrary to State Police rules. Ultimately, the State Police internal investigation found that 12 members of the DETF warranted discipline.
However, the Inspector General found that the State Police failed to adequately discipline the members. Specifically:
The State Police has since undergone changes in leadership, made staffing changes to the DETF and implemented significant protocols. The Inspector General recommends additional measures to further enhance accountability and increase transparency:
Additionally, the State Police should immediately refer all Level 3 and Level 4 personnel complaints to the Inspector General for review, continue monthly meetings between the State Police and Inspector General to confer on referrals, and provide documents to the Inspector General to confirm that new DETF protocols have been implemented and acknowledged by current DETF members.
The Inspector General thanked State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett and its members for their cooperation in the investigation.
The report, “Investigation of the New York State Division of State Police Drug Enforcement Task Force” is online.
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