Following an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Investigation into the New York Police Department, the agency recommended that the development of a pilot mediation program for some bias complaints and for the NYPD to amend its patrol guide to classify offensive language such as slurs as biased policing. The recommendation came after it was revealed that there had been nearly 3000 reports of biased policing within the past five years. The agency noted that none of the 3000 complaints had been substantiated.

According to the report, the NYPD did not substantiate any of the allegations of bias based on categories including race, national origin and sexual orientation. The Civilian Complaint Review Board also does not investigate claims of bias against the NYPD.

Inspector General Philip Eure wrote in the report, “Biased policing, actual or perceived, undermines the core value of equal treatment under the law and also poses a threat to public safety because racial profiling and other types of biased policing undermine the public’s confidence and trust in law enforcement.” He also pointed out, “NYPD must ensure that these complaints are thoroughly investigated and tracked. In addition, the independent CCRB should expand its authority to investigate biased policing complaints filed with that agency.”

In addition, the report also revealed that despite their being rules against using offensive language, there is no investigation into events when they are reported.

In addition to the recommendation for creating a mediation program, the report also made nearly two dozen other recommendations that could improve problems with biased policing.