Opinion
2015-06-11
In re Denise McDONALD, Petitioner, v. William J. BRATTON, etc., et al., Respondents.
Law Office of Harry Kresky, New York (Harry Kresky of counsel), for petitioner. Zachary W. Carter, Corporation Counsel, New York (Emma Grunberg of counsel), for respondents.
Law Office of Harry Kresky, New York (Harry Kresky of counsel), for petitioner. Zachary W. Carter, Corporation Counsel, New York (Emma Grunberg of counsel), for respondents.
MAZZARELLI, J.P., SWEENY, GISCHE, CLARK, JJ.
Determination of respondents, dated November 21, 2013, dismissing petitioner from her position as a police officer, unanimously confirmed, the petition denied, and the proceeding brought pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, New York County [Cynthia S. Kern, J.], entered September 8, 2014) dismissed, without costs.
Substantial evidence supports the determination that petitioner disobeyed a lawful order of her supervisor and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the good order, efficiency or discipline of the police department ( see 300 Gramatan Ave. Assoc. v. State Div. of Human Rights, 45 N.Y.2d 176, 408 N.Y.S.2d 54, 379 N.E.2d 1183 [1978] ). As the Deputy Commissioner of Trials found, petitioner failed to obey two orders directing her to go out on assignment and then, by her actions, challenged and threatened her supervisor.
The penalty is not so disproportionate as to shock the conscience ( see Matter of Kelly v. Safir, 96 N.Y.2d 32, 724 N.Y.S.2d 680, 747 N.E.2d 1280 [2001] ). Contrary to petitioner's apparent contention, respondents properly considered her prior disciplinary record in determining the penalty ( see Matter of Pell v. Board of Educ. of Union Free School Dist. No. 1 of Towns of Scarsdale & Mamaroneck, Westchester County, 34 N.Y.2d 222, 340, 356 N.Y.S.2d 833, 313 N.E.2d 321 [1974] ).