Pol: Probe handling of FDNY boss

The head of the City Council’s investigations committee has requested an independent probe of the events leading up to the suspension of a top Fire Department chief accused of abusive behavior.

Councilman Ritchie Torres, (D-Bronx) sent Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett the request Tuesday, days after FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard was relieved of his command and put on desk duty.

The suspension followed Daily News reports that Leonard had been accused of openly berating and humiliating subordinates, and tried to freeze out First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, one of the few women in the top ranks of the FDNY.

In announcing Leonard’s suspension, the FDNY said the city’s Law Department will be responsible for investigating his behavior.

But Torres says the City Charter dictates that DOI — which is considered a more independent watchdog — should handle these allegations.

“Unlike DOI, whose commissioner is confirmed by the City Council and whose reports are reviewed by the public, the Law Department has neither independence from the mayor nor reporting obligations to the public,” Torres wrote in his letter to Garnett.

“A city employee who has been accused by mayoral officials of abusing his power has a right to be investigated by an agency independent of the mayor.”

Torres also raised questions about the length of time Leonard has allegedly been abusing his authority by denigrating coworkers and how long his superiors were aware of these allegations.

“How long has the leadership of both the FDNY and City Hall known about these abuses?” he wrote. “And how long after learning of these abuses did the FDNY and City Hall finally take corrective action? Instead of sweeping the answers to these questions quietly under the rug, a DOI investigation would likely bring them to light.”

DOI officials did not return a call seeking comment.