A major NYPD union is asking cops to blatantly ignore a new operation order that requires officers to try and obtain written signatures from people who consent to searches of their homes, cars and other property.
The new patrol guideline, rolled out on Oct. 15, asks uniformed members to offer New Yorkers a “Consent to Search” form and attempt to get their seal of approval.
Lieutenants Benevolent Association president Lou Turco argues that it does nothing to protect officers from “substantiated complaints” to the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
“It is our belief that in a scenario where a person signs a Consent to Search form…the staff of the Civilian Complaint Review Board will most likely accept the complainant’s claim that they were forced/coerced to sign the Consent to Search form,” Turco wrote in an email to the union’s 1,720 members.
“We recommend that our members not routinely, proactively, and knowingly put themselves into situations where a Consent to Search form must be utilized,” he said. “The Civilian Complaint Review Board must create a training program to advise the members of the Department how they can best employ proactive policing without being subjected to arbitrary discipline from CCRB.”
Turco later told The Post that he hopes the board will be able to assure cops that the signatures won’t be used against them.
“They need to acknowledge that the consent to search forms will protect my officers,” he said.
The CCRB has not yet revealed how they feel about the NYPD’s new order, which requires cops to first ask someone to search their property before eventually trying to get them sign the “Consent to Search” form.
After the person agrees, officers must present them with a “contact card” listing their name, rank and shield number, as well as a copy of the consent form.