Case: DOJ Investigation of the New York City Police Department's Special Victims Division

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Case Summary

On June 30, 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it had opened an investigation into the New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Division. The investigation was led by the Justice Department’s Special Litigation Section in conjunction with the Civil Rights Divisions of the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. The DOJ stated that they would investigate claims of discrimination under

The DOJ announced that their investigation would inquire into whether the Special Victims Division (SVD) engaged in a pattern of gender-based policing. The Department of Justice received information indicating that the SVD had decades-long deficiencies in their handling of sexual assault cases, including refusing to engage in basic investigative steps and instead shaming and abusing victims. The DOJ stated that they would be looking into the policies, practices, and training of the SVD. 

This investigation is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Claire Butler (12/30/2022)

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Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:36 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

Policing

Key Dates

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The Department of Justice opened this investigation into gender-biased policing by the New York City Police Department's Special Victims Department.

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

New York City Police Department (New York), City

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General:

Disparate Treatment

Failure to discipline

Failure to supervise

Failure to train

Government services

Incident/accident reporting & investigations

Pattern or Practice

Discrimination-basis:

Sex discrimination