Testimony: A Step Toward Real Accountability in NYC Policing

Last month, I had the opportunity to testify before the Mayor’s Charter Revision Commission on a reform that could meaningfully advance public trust: granting the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) final disciplinary authority in substantiated cases of NYPD misconduct.

As someone who has worked across public safety and police oversight in New York City, I’ve seen how crucial independent and consistent accountability is. Right now, even when the CCRB substantiates misconduct after a thorough investigation, its recommendations can be dismissed—by the Police Commissioner. That undermines the purpose of civilian oversight and erodes public confidence.

My testimony called for a practical fix: close the accountability gap by ensuring that substantiated misconduct leads to appropriate discipline. This isn’t about harsher punishment—it’s about fairness, transparency, and restoring faith in a system that too often leaves justice incomplete.

I’m sharing this moment not just as a policy advocate, but as someone who believes that lasting trust requires lasting reform. I hope you’ll give it a read and join the conversation. You can watch and review testimony below.

Testimony of Hassan Naveed to the New York City Charter Revision Commission

In Support of Granting the Civilian Complaint Review Board Final Disciplinary Authority

Good evening. My name is Hassan Naveed. I want to thank you for the opportunity to testify tonight on an issue that sits at the very core of public trust in government—ensuring fair, consistent, and independent accountability in cases of police misconduct. I am here to urge the Commission to amend the City Charter to give the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) final authority to impose discipline in cases where misconduct by NYPD officers has been substantiated.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across public service and police oversight in New York City. As Director and Special Investigator at the Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD at the City’s Department of Investigation, I was a part of multiple investigations into NYPD practices—including a landmark report on bias policing that helped establish the CCRB’s Bias-Based Policing Unit. I later served as the first Deputy Executive Director and then Executive Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, where I led citywide efforts to prevent hate violence, launched the first hate crime curriculum in public schools, expanded safety programs across all five boroughs, and coordinated rapid responses to emerging threats.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to build new systems, implement policy reform, improve government efficiency, fight corruption, and see firsthand the many benefits of effective accountability—and how easily they can evaporate when not enforced or institutionalized.

As someone who has worked closely with the NYPD and deeply respects the many officers who serve with integrity and dedication, I’ve seen firsthand their commitment to public service. But that good work is undermined when the disciplinary system is inconsistent or unenforced.

Let me be clear: what I am asking for is practical, necessary, and long overdue. I am not calling for the Civilian Complaint Review Board to impose harsher punishments. We need the CCRB to have the authority it was intended to have, and enforce discipline in cases where police misconduct has been substantiated through a thorough, independent investigative process.

Too often, even after thorough investigations and clear findings of misconduct, cases end without consequence. This is because the final decision lies with the Police Commissioner, who can override CCRB recommendations without public explanation. Such discretion, without transparency, risks turning a procedural process into a political one—undermining public trust in oversight, accountability, and the NYPD’s leadership. This is particularly unfortunate given the commitment of so many NYPD officers who serve with integrity every day. It erodes trust, morale, and legitimacy from within. 

I commend Commissioner Jessica Tisch for her efforts to modernize the department and strengthen accountability tools—showing that internal reform is possible with strong leadership. Still, lasting public trust requires more than leadership alone. Commissioners change; but policies must endure. We need systems that are consistent, transparent, and accountable, no matter who is at the helm.

The CCRB was created to provide meaningful civilian oversight—not to make recommendations that can be dismissed without consequence. Granting the Board final disciplinary authority would send a clear message: oversight is essential, and accountability shouldn’t depend on who’s in charge. When misconduct is substantiated through a full CCRB investigation, discipline should follow. This isn’t about harsher penalties—it’s about closing the loop on accountability. New Yorkers deserve a system they can trust, and officers deserve one that is fair and consistent. This reform would restore integrity to a broken process and move us from symbolic oversight to real accountability. 

Thank you for your time, leadership, and commitment to a more just New York City.