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Inspector General for the NYPD

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What does the Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD (OIG-NYPD) do?
  2. Is the OIG-NYPD part of the New York City Police Department (NYPD)?
  3. What makes the OIG-NYPD different from other oversight bodies in New York City such as the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), the Commission to Combat Police Corruption (CCPC), and NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB)?
  4. How was the OIG-NYPD formed and why is it part of DOI?
  5. How does the OIG-NYPD operate?
  6. How does the OIG-NYPD decide what to investigate, review and report on?
  7. What kind of complaints can I file with the OIG-NYPD?
  8. I filed a complaint with the OIG-NYPD, now what?
  9. Where can I read the OIG-NYPD's public reports and statements of findings?
  10. Does the OIG-NYPD have the power to discipline NYPD officers who have committed misconduct?
  11. How can I contact or request a meeting with the OIG-NYPD?

  1. What does the Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD (OIG-NYPD) do?


    The Office of the Inspector General for the New York City Police Department (OIG-NYPD) is authorized by New York City law to investigate, review, study, audit, and make recommendations relating to the operations, policies, programs, and practies of the NYPD. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of policing in New York City, protect civil liberties and civil rights, and increase public safety and the public's confidence in the police force.

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  2. Is the OIG-NYPD part of the NYPD?


    The OIG-NYPD is a unit within the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) and operates independently of the NYPD.


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  3. What makes the OIG-NYPD different from other oversight bodies in New York City, such as the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), Commission to Combat Police Corruption (CCPC), and NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB)?


    Unlike other police watchdog entities, the OIG-NYPD focuses on patterns and trends around NYPD operations, policies, programs, and practices, and issues recommendations via reports and statements of findings. Pursuant to Chapter 34 of the City Charter, DOI, through the OIG-NYPD, is authorized to investigate all matters involving misconduct by NYPD employees and to refer matters involving potential criminal conduct to relevant prosecutors' offices, potential conflicts of interest or unethical conduct to the City's Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB), and other matters as appropriate to CCRB and IAB. 

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  4. How was the OIG-NYPD formed and why is it part of DOI?


    Local Law 70 of 2013 mandated that DOI establish oversight of the NYPD. Specifically, the law directed the DOI Commissioner to appoint an Inspector General (IG) to oversee NYPD operations, policies, programs, and practices. The law also required the production of an annual report and certain written reports or statements of findings. In 2014, the DOI Commissioner appointed the first IG for the NYPD and created the OIG-NYPD. 

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  5. How does the OIG-NYPD operate?


    The IG of the OIG-NYPD runs the day-to-day operations of the office. In coordination with the DOI Commissioner and executive leadership, the IG decides on the docket of matters to investigate. The OIG-NYPD is supported by multi-disciplinary teams of investigative analysts, investigative policy analysts, data analysts, auditors, attorneys, outreach staff, and support personnel, who all report to the IG.


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  6. How does the OIG-NYPD decide what to investigate, review, and report on?


    In consultation with the DOI Commissioner and executive staff, the OIG-NYPD establishes its docket of investigations through an array of avenues, including via complaints that come into the office, outreach efforts, and connecting with other government agencies. The OIG-NYPD is empowered to look at a wide range of policing issues, and has issued reports on a variety of significant areas of concern including, use of force, surveillance and intelligence gathering, instances of alleged officer bias, officer training, police response to political protests, and police interactions with people with mental illness.

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  7. What kinds of complaints can I file with the OIG-NYPD?


    The OIG-NYPD takes complaints involving NYPD matters, including NYPD operations, policies, and practices, and Police Department employees. Complaints may be filed anonymously; however, to help DOI and the OIG-NYPD process your complaint, please consider providing a way for us to contact you in case we require additional information in order to fully investigate your complaint. If you are a City employee there are whistleblower protections in place to prohibit retaliation. Learn more about the requirements of the NYC Whistleblower Law and the protections it affords here.

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  8. I filed a complaint with the OIG-NYPD, now what?


    After the OIG-NYPD receives a complaint via letter, telephone, walk-in, and/or the online complaint form, it is assigned to an investigative analyst to assess and gather additional information, as needed. The OIG-NYPD will notify you to advise that it has received your complaint, but will not notify you if there is an active investigation or provide updates on any ongoing investigation. 


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  9. Where can I read the OIG-NYPD's public reports and statements of findings?


    The OIG-NYPD's written reports and statements of findings can be found by clicking here. To date, the OIG-NYPD has published more than 30 reports and a statement of findings, including the DOI-issued Floyd Protest Report.


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  10. Does the OIG-NYPD have the power to discipline NYPD officers who have committed misconduct or require the NYPD to change its policies?


    Like all DOI squads, the OIG-NYPD has the authority to investigate, issue policy and procedure recommendations, and make public findings of corruption or misconduct. The OIG-NYPD does not have the power to discipline individual NYPD officers who have committed misconduct or to compel the NYPD to implement its policy recommendations.


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  11. How can I contact or request a meeting with the OIG-NYPD?


    If you are interested in meeting with the OIG-NYPD, or would like to invite the OIG-NYPD to an event, please contact Director of Outreach Claire Fleischer at (212) 806-5200 or at outreach@oignypd.nyc.gov.


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