CCRB: Record Number Of Complaints Against Officers Substantiated Last Month

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Civilian Complaint Review Board said Wednesday that there were more substantiated complaints against police officers last month than ever before.

As 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported, the board found that the total number of complaints was actually down last month. But a record number of those complaints –29 percent – could be substantiated.

Board President Richard Emery said the proliferation of video is the reason more complaints are being substantiated.

"I don't know if that's going to be an overall trend," Emery told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond. "But certainly, video is dramatically affecting the way the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and of course, the Police Department, is doing business."

Emery said video evidence can also benefit officers.

"Video is the new aspect of evaluating police misconduct and complaints," he told Stern. "It also exonerates police officers regularly."

The CCRB wants officers to wear body cameras every time they enter a home. They also want video installed in the precincts "so we can document when officers behave properly and when they don't," Emery said.

In response to the report, Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch pointed out that the total drop in the number of complaints last month amounted to 19 percent, and said New Yorkers are much more likely to have positive interactions with the police than negative.