Opinion
2013-11-7
In re Christopher JONES, Petitioner, v. Raymond KELLY, etc., Respondent.
Baker, Leshko, Saline & Blosser, LLP, White Plains (Anthony C. Saline of counsel), for petitioner. *247Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Scott Shorr of counsel), for respondent.
Baker, Leshko, Saline & Blosser, LLP, White Plains (Anthony C. Saline of counsel), for petitioner. *247Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Scott Shorr of counsel), for respondent.
Determination of respondent, dated January 19, 2012, which terminated petitioner's employment as a detective for the New York City Police Department, unanimously confirmed, the petition denied, and the proceeding brought pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of Supreme Court, New York County [Alice Schlesinger, J.], entered on or about September 18, 2012), dismissed, without costs.
The determination that petitioner possessed and ingested cocaine was supported by substantial evidence, including the positive random drug test results ( see generally 300 Gramatan Ave. Assoc. v. State Div. of Human Rights, 45 N.Y.2d 176, 180, 408 N.Y.S.2d 54, 379 N.E.2d 1183 [1978] ). There is no basis for disturbing the Hearing Officer's credibility determinations ( see Matter of Berenhaus v. Ward, 70 N.Y.2d 436, 443–444, 522 N.Y.S.2d 478, 517 N.E.2d 193 [1987] ).
The penalty imposed does not shock our sense of fairness since respondent “is accountable to the public for the integrity of the Department” ( Trotta v. Ward, 77 N.Y.2d 827, 828, 566 N.Y.S.2d 199, 567 N.E.2d 241 [1991] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see also Matter of Chiofalo v. Kelly, 70 A.D.3d 423, 893 N.Y.S.2d 552 [1st Dept.2010];Matter of Connor v. New York City Police Dept., 22 A.D.3d 425, 802 N.Y.S.2d 683 [1st Dept.2005] ).
We have considered petitioner's remaining contentions, including his concerns about the impact his termination has on his retirement benefits, and find them unavailing.