A courageous New York City police officer has come forward to shed light on a troubling practice within the force: the use of "courtesy cards" that allow friends and relatives of officers to avoid traffic tickets. Officer Mathew Bianchi, in a federal lawsuit filed in Manhattan, has accused department leaders of perpetuating a system of impunity by turning a blind eye to this widespread abuse.
Although not officially recognized by the NYPD, these laminated cards have long been treated as a job perk by members of the police force. The city's police unions distribute these cards among their members, who then distribute them to others looking to exploit their connections to the NYPD. By flashing these cards, individuals can often escape minor infractions such as speeding or neglecting to wear a seatbelt.
Officer Bianchi revealed a practice of selective enforcement that penalizes officers who refuse to comply with this unwritten policy. He stated that current and retired officers have access to hundreds of these cards, which they freely distribute in exchange for personal favors, such as discounted meals or home improvement services. In Bianchi's Staten Island precinct, a predominantly white area with a high percentage of police and city workers, he encountered numerous individuals who presented these cards after being pulled over for traffic violations.
"I see card after card. You're not allowed to write any of them (up)," Bianchi disclosed to The Associated Press. "We're not supposed to be showing favoritism when we do car stops, and we shouldn't be giving them out because the guy mows my lawn."
Bianchi faced reprimands on multiple occasions for issuing tickets to relatives or parents of fellow officers. According to the lawsuit, his commanding officer even went as far as personally reviewing body camera footage to determine if Bianchi was giving preferential treatment to cardholders. The final straw came when Bianchi ticketed a friend of Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the NYPD. Three days later, Bianchi was abruptly removed from his position in the traffic unit and reassigned to a night patrol shift.
Chief Maddrey, a long-time ally of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, is currently facing a departmental trial over allegations of improperly voiding the arrest of a former officer accused of threatening children with a gun. The NYPD spokesperson stated that the department would review the lawsuit, but inquiries to Chief Maddrey went unanswered. John Nuthall, spokesperson for the Police Benevolent Association, the largest union in the NYPD, did not deny the existence of courtesy cards but asserted that it was the responsibility of management to determine department policy.
The NYPD's police unions have faced ongoing media scrutiny regarding these cards due to concerns about corruption and their availability for sale on platforms like eBay. Officer Bianchi disclosed that it was common for officers to receive stacks of cards from various union delegates, and dozens of these courtesy cards are currently listed for sale online.
This prevalence of courtesy cards has created a situation where individuals without connections to law enforcement are less likely to receive warnings, as officers are expected to issue a certain number of tickets. Bianchi added that, in his experience, minority motorists were less likely to have access to these cards, highlighting a potential racial disparity in the application of traffic enforcement.
Officer Bianchi's lawsuit serves as a wake-up call for the NYPD and the city's leadership. It exposes a troubling practice that undermines the principles of fairness and equal treatment under the law. It is imperative that the department conducts a thorough review and takes appropriate action to address this issue. Public trust in law enforcement hinges on accountability and the fair application of the law, regardless of one's connections or status.
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