'Dismantle And Reconstruct' Kensington Detective Squad, Reps Say

KENSINGTON, BROOKLYN — A group of City Council members is calling on NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill to "dismantle and reconstruct" Kensington's 66th Precinct Detective Squad after allegations of racism and a "frat house" culture made headlines.

City Council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucus released a statement Friday demanding O'Neil address concerns raised by Detective Michael Moy, who alleges officers used racist language to mock him and victims of local crime, the Daily News was first to report.

"We expect a thorough investigation of these claims, and that any parties found culpable be held to account," stated Council Member I. Daneek Miller in a joint statement released Friday.

"These disturbing revelations threaten to undermine the rapport that the Department has worked hard to cultivate with our communities of color, many of which continue to be skeptical of its commitment to achieving true reform."

Moy, a 49-year-old Chinese-American detective who has served 24 years with the NYPD, accused fellow 66th Precinct officers in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint filed on April 24, the Daily News reported.

Among his allegations, Moy claimed detectives taunted him with video clips of fake Chinese accents, compared an African-American precinct commander to the cartoon character Fat Albert, and referred to Jewish people as "filthy Jews" and "beards," according to the Daily News report.

Moy also noted that Chinese residents were the victims of "s---canning," when officers closed their cases without a thorough investigation, the News reported.

Finally, Moy included photos of a caricature, posted in the 66th Precinct house, depicting him as Bruce Lee and shouting, "I take day off!"

These behaviors spurred the BLA Caucas to demand the NYPD "dismantle and restructure the 66th Precinct Detective Squad to ensure adequate investigations and end to years of inappropriate transgressions," the statement reads.

"The crudely racist images and behavior are not only offensive — they contribute to a culture of disrespect and rising intolerance of our city's most vulnerable communities," said Council Member Margaret Chin in The BLAC statement Friday.

Council Member Peter Koo added, "Such actions betray the trust of not only the public, but also the many law enforcement officers of color serving throughout the city."

Police responded to the BLA Caucus announcement Friday with an official statement.

"The NYPD takes such allegations seriously and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind," an NYPD spokeswoman stated. "Once received, the complaint will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action will be taken."