EXCLUSIVE: Promotions frozen for about 200 NYPD sergeants amid probe into alleged cheating on exam
Promotions for about 200 NYPD sergeants who passed a lieutenants’ exam last year had their promotions frozen in the midst of an investigation into allegations of widespread cheating on the test.
The move comes a day after nine sergeants sued the city over a 2015 exam claiming that an answer key posted on a message board popular with police unfairly skewed the results in favor of cops who took a makeup test.
A police official said the NYPD ordered the promotions frozen until the investigation is complete. There are allegations of cheating both on the initial exam and the makeup test.
“We are erring on the side of caution until this is figured out,” the official said.
EXCLUSIVE: NINE COPS SUE NYPD OVER ALLEGATIONS OF CHEATING ON TEST
The lawsuit detailed a testing set-up ripe for cheating. Of the 2,401 sergeants who took the lieutenants exam on April 18 last year, only 164 passed or about 7%, according to court papers. But of the 80 sergeants who missed the initial test and were approved for the makeup exam two months later, 48% passed, court papers allege.
Between the first test and the makeup exam, the answer key was posted on the Rising Star message board. The suit also alleges takers of the initial exam discussed questions during trips to the bathroom.
Ken Murray/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton’s decision to freeze the promotions was blasted by a union president.
The head of the NYPD’s sergeants’ union blasted the promotions freeze, and put the blame squarely on Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.
“It's total lunacy. This is another move by Police Commissioner Bratton where he just fails to make a decision that has a spine in it," said Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association.
“I think he’s lost his mind to be honest with you.”
Mullins said cops who took the initial test are being unfairly punished.
"The issue is that there are 80 people who took the make-up test, and there's alleged cheating on that, and he just labeled everyone who took the first test as a cheater," Mullins fumed.
But Randolph McLaughlin, the attorney representing the nine sergeants who sued, said this was the only choice.
Bryan R. Smith/Bryan R. Smith
Sergeants Benevolent Association President Ed Mullins said the move was “total lunacy.”
“While it is unfortunate some test-takers who didn't participate in illegal activities with respect to the exam may not be promoted at this time, there really is no other choice for the department,” said McLaughlin, of Newman Ferrara. “That is the best outcome for the department and for the public.”
Lou Turco, president of the Lieutenants Benevolent Association, said he hopes the dispute is resolved quickly.
“It puts the department in a bind because it bogs down the whole promotional cycle,” he said.
Sergeants were making panicked posts on the message board Friday.
"Just got the call from the personnel bureau,” a user named hairbag wrote. “This is no joke.”
A sergeant’s starting salary is $95,000. Sergeants who passed the exam are designated "future lieutenants" and get an immediate raise to $102,091.
It wasn't immediately clear how the freeze would affect their pay.