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NYC Public Advocate Responds to Data on NYPD Screenings

August 15th, 2025

"The reported findings on the NYPD’s candidate assessments – namely, that unlicensed workers are often responsible for these psychological screenings – are highly concerning, especially after the Department attempted to terminate 31 officers related to such evaluations.

"Systemic issues within the NYPD – of diversity, transparency, accountability, equity – can only be addressed if the Department is willing to confront and reform deficiencies like those revealed in this data and in the cases of these 31 officers. It is telling that the Department was quick to fire those officers while at the same time retaining Lt. Rivera, who killed Allan Feliz. Rivera had years of due process that justified his termination, but he kept his job. These officers had no due process before being fired from theirs, despite what we now know about what goes into these candidate assessments. The administration is choosing to be defensive and worsen a longstanding problem rather than take an opportunity to advance reform.

"Psychological screenings are vital for law enforcement, which is why the public needs to have  confidence that those assessments are thorough, fair, and professionally conducted. That should include a transparent and accessible appeals process to uncover any discrepancies. This is essential to advance both employment equity and public safety – undermining it erodes public trust and sends a dangerous message."

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