On September 9, 1999, Latino and African-American police officers filed suit against the City of New York and the New York Police Department ("NYPD") in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiffs alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983, 1985, and state and local laws. Specifically, they contended that their work environment was hostile to Latinos and African-Americans, that NYPD's application of its disciplinary rules and processes embodied a pattern or practice of disparate treatment, and that they were retaliated against when they complained about discrimination. The plaintiffs sought an injunction requiring the NYPD to abolish discrimination, ensure equal treatment, cease retaliation, and change the disciplinary procedure.

On August 6, 2002, the court (Judge Lewis A. Kaplan) certified a class consisting of all Latino and African-American individuals who had been, were, or would be employed by the NYPD. Officers Ass'n v. City of New York, 209 F.R.D. 79 (S.D.N.Y. 2002). On September 15, 2004, the court (Judge Kaplan) approved a settlement agreement. Officers Ass'n v. City of New York, 2004 WL 2066605 (S.D.N.Y. 2004).

On June 21,2007, the court ordered that the clerk close the case, because the case was settled on a class action basis.

Although later some plaintiffs challenged the district court's decision to deny their motion for contempt and to compel compliance with the settlement, the 2nd Circuit subsequently affirmed the district court's decision.

Kunyi Zhang - 08/30/2010


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