Opinion
May 1, 1990
Appeal from the Supreme Court, New York County (Eugene L. Nardelli, J.).
After a two-day disciplinary trial, which was held in April 1988, and at which New York City Correction Officer Edward Allman (Officer Allman) testified in his own defense, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) found him guilty. Specifically, the ALJ stated "I find that * * * On January 29, 1987, Edward Allman used excessive and unnecessary force against [an] inmate * * * and violated Directive 5002, governing use of force, by failing to notify a superior officer before initiating the lock in of an uncooperative inmate". Based upon that finding, the ALJ recommended to the Correction Commissioner (Commissioner) that although Officer Allman had no prior disciplinary record, he be dismissed from the Department of Correction (Department).
Thereafter, in a determination dated August 4, 1988, the Commissioner approved the ALJ's recommendations and dismissed Officer Allman.
Subsequently, on or about September 30, 1988, Officer Allman (petitioner) instituted a proceeding, pursuant to CPLR article 78, challenging the Commissioner's (respondent) determination of August 4, 1988, supra. After service of the answer, since an issue was raised as to whether the determination was supported by substantial evidence, upon the basis of CPLR 7804 (g), an order of the Supreme Court transferred the matter to this court for review (Collana v. Perales, 123 A.D.2d 493).
Based upon our review of the trial transcript, we find that substantial evidence supports the finding of guilty concerning the amended charge of excessive force, which arose as a result of petitioner going to the aid of a fellow officer, who was struggling with an inmate.
Although the charge herein is serious, we find that, in view of petitioner's prior unblemished record in the Department, the punishment of dismissal is "disproportionate to the offense as to be shocking to one's conscience" (Matter of Pell v. Board of Educ., 34 N.Y.2d 222, 239). Further, we find it significant, in connection with the issue of appropriate punishment, that the Department, in light of the circumstances in the instant case, recommended to the ALJ the imposition of a 60-day suspension, without pay, as adequate punishment. The gross disparity between the Department's original recommendation of a 60-day suspension and the imposed penalty of dismissal is shocking to our conscience (Matter of Pell v. Board of Educ., supra).
Accordingly, we grant the petition to the extent of annulling the penalty portion of the determination, and remand same to the Commissioner for reconsideration.
Concur — Murphy, P.J., Ross, Rosenberger, Kassal and Wallach, JJ.