NYPD Settles Post 9-11 Muslim Surveillance Lawsuits

A landmark settlement over the NYPD’s controversial Muslim surveillance program will leave the cops under the scrutiny of an independent observer appointed by City Hall.

The deal, announced Thursday by police and the New York Civil Liberties Union, resolves the twin lawsuits brought in New York against the NYPD for its post-9/11 program focused on the city’s Muslim community.

“This settlement is a win for all New Yorkers,” said NYCLU Legal Director Arthur Eisenberg. “It will curtail practices that wrongly stigmatize individuals simply on the basis of their religion, race or ethnicity.”

The mayor, under the deal, will name a civilian attorney from outside the NYPD to ensure the department’s work follows the established guidelines. The appointee will serve a five-year term.

“If that person has any concerns ... they can and must go to the police commissioner and bring (their) concerns to his attention,” said NYPD Deputy Commissioner of the Legal Bureau Larry Byrne.

The attorney would also have access to the mayor and a federal judge if any concerns arise.

The observer will attend NYPD internal meetings to insure the department is “complying with the current guidelines,” said Byrne.

The settlement followed months of talks that began in the summer of 2014, shortly after Mayor de Blasio took over at City Hall. It still needs court approval from judges overseeing the two lawsuits resolved by the deal.

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