The correction officers union is suing the city over a new policy that disciplines guards if drug-sniffing dogs smell narcotics on them — claiming that the new rules violate their rights and the US Constitution.
If the dog smells narcotics, the officer must undergo a strip search — and if they refuse, they’ll be busted for obstructing governmental administration, the Manhattan federal court lawsuit states.
“Under the new policy, based solely on a canine sniff, an employee of the department is subject to suspension, involuntary pat-frisk, strip search and arrest,” states the suit.
“The circumstances outlined in the [new policy] do not provide a reasonable basis for concluding that the employee has committed misconduct.”
The suit seeks to stop the department from enforcing the new policy.
“We’ll review the lawsuit once we are served,” said a city Law Department spokesman.