NCJ Number
52708
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 32-34
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE CREATED TO INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION IN NEW YORK CITY'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE REVIEWED.
Abstract
THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR WAS ESTABLISHED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER IN SEPTEMBER 1972 FOLLOWING A SERIES OF EVENTS THAT BEGAN IN THE LATE 1960'S WITH ALLEGATIONS OF WIDESPREAD POLICE CORRUPTION IN THE CITY. SEVERAL COURT DECISIONS SERVED TO LIMIT THE APPARENTLY BROAD JURISDICTION GRANTED THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR (E.G., DISMISSAL OF A CASE ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED HAD ALTERED HIS TESTIMONY IN A CIVIL, NOT A CRIMINAL, CASE). IN THE 5 YEARS FOLLOWING ITS CREATION, THE OFFICE OBTAINED 364 INDICTMENTS AGAINST 472 DEFENDANTS, INCLUDING 151 POLICE OFFICERS, 13 CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, 33 ATTORNEYS, 17 JUDGES, AND 85 OTHER PUBLIC OFFICERS. THE INDICTMENTS BROUGHT 225 GUILTY PLEAS AND 85 DISMISSALS, WITH THE OTHER CASES GOING TO TRIAL. EIGHT CONVICTIONS HAVE BEEN REVERSED ON APPEAL. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SETBACK HAS BEEN IN THE PROSECUTION OF JUDGES. OF THE JUDGES INDICTED, ONLY A FEW WERE CONVICTED, AND THESE CONVICTIONS WERE REVERSED ON APPEAL. THE OFFICE UNDERTAKES BOTH PROACTIVE AND REACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS AND CARRIES OUT ITS WORK EITHER BY RELYING ENTIRELY ON ITS OWN STAFF OF 60 INVESTIGATORS, BY MONITORING INVESTIGATIONS BEING CONDUCTED BY OTHER AGENCIES, OR BY CONDUCTING JOINT INVESTIGATIONS WITH OTHER AGENCIES. THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR'S STAFF OF INVESTIGATORS, SUPPORT PERSONNEL, AND 35 ATTORNEYS IS DIVIDED AMONG THE 5 COUNTIES OF NEW YORK CITY. THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR HAS ASKED THE GOVERNOR TO EXPAND THE OFFICE'S JURISDICTION TO ENCOMPASS THE CIVIL AS WELL AS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND TO COVER THE ENTIRE STATE. (LKM)