Opinion
06-27-2024
In the Matter of Helder SANTOS, Petitioner–Appellant, v. Keechant L. SEWELL etc., et al., Respondents–Respondents.
Worth, London & Martinez, LLP, New York (Stuart Gold of counsel), for appellant. Sylvia O. Hinds–Radix, Corporation Counsel, New York (MacKenzie Fillow of counsel), for respondents.
Worth, London & Martinez, LLP, New York (Stuart Gold of counsel), for appellant.
Sylvia O. Hinds–Radix, Corporation Counsel, New York (MacKenzie Fillow of counsel), for respondents.
Moulton, J.P., Friedman, Kapnick, Shulman, Michael, JJ.
Judgment (denominated an order) Supreme Court, New York County (Frank P. Nervo, J.), entered August 18, 2023, which, to the extent appealed as limited by the briefs, denied the petition to annul respondents’ November 3, 2022 determination terminating petitioner’s employment as a police officer and dismissed the proceeding brought pursuant to CPLR article 78, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The penalty of dismissal from employment as a police officer for use of cocaine does not shock the conscience and is not disproportionate to the misconduct (Matter of Gordon v. Brown, 84 N.Y.2d 574, 580, 620 N.Y.S.2d 749, 644 N.E.2d 1305 [1994]). This Court has upheld this penalty numerous times over the years in similar situations (see Matter of Quire v. City of New York, 189 A.D.3d 467, 468, 137 N.Y.S.3d 11 [1st Dept. 2020]; Matter of Lumezi v. Bratton, 147 A.D.3d 566, 46 N.Y.S.3d 799 [1st Dept. 2017]; Matter of Jones v. Kelly, 111 A.D.3d 415, 974 N.Y.S.2d 246 [1st Dept. 2013]).
Petitioner contends that respondents and the court did not consider the harmful effect on his family of termination of his employment and loss of pension benefits under circumstances where he asserts the drug test results were in doubt. However, the Police Commissioner found that there was no reasonable dispute concerning the test results and in matters of police discipline, great leeway is accorded the Police Commissioner’s determination concerning appropriate punishment because, the Commissioner, not the courts, are accountable to the public for the integrity of the police force (Trotta v. Ward, 77 N.Y.2d 827, 828, 566 N.Y.S.2d 199, 567 N.E.2d 241 [1991]). Moreover, the NYPD Disciplinary System Penalty Guidelines provide for termination from employment as the presumptive pen- alty for a positive drug test for cocaine and ingestion of a banned substance. The Police Commissioner expressly stated that she had considered the totality of the circumstances and issues in making her determination, contrary to petitioner’s claim.
We have considered petitioner’s remaining arguments and find them unavailing.