SOUTH BRONX — A police officer who was harassed after blowing the whistle on ticket quotas will receive a $280,000 settlement from the city, according to the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Officer Craig Matthews, a 17-year veteran of the NYPD, had repeatedly talked to his supervisors about a quota system in the 42nd Precinct that led to several unwarranted stops and arrests. In retaliation, he was denied overtime and leave, given negative evaluations, separated from his longtime partner and given punitive assignments, the NYCLU said.
The group filed suit on Matthews' behalf in 2012 and a court ruled last February that his speech was protected by the First Amendment, paving the way for his proposed settlement.
Under the settlement, which still must be approved by Manhattan’s federal district court, the NYPD would pay Matthews $125,000 in damages, $130,000 in legal fees and more than $30,000 in lost overtime wages.
The proposed settlement would also require the city to expunge a negative work evaluation that Matthews received.
“A strong, effective law enforcement agency needs police officers that speak out against misconduct when they see it,” NYCLU senior staff attorney and co-counsel on the case Erin Harrist said.
“Today’s settlement reflects the significant value of police officers’ and public employees’ free speech rights.”
Settling the case was in the city’s best interest, according to the New York City Law Department.
The NYPD referred comments on the case to the Law Department.
