Correx-cops slap
3 suspended in Rikers-inmate death
The Department of Correction is suspending three jail officers and a captain, and bringing charges against 13 other staffers, for their roles in the high-profile death of Layleen Polanco, a 27year-old transgender inmate on Rikers Island.
Friday’s disciplinary action comes more than a year after Polanco’s June 7, 2019, death in an isolation cell from an epileptic seizure — and days after the city Department of Investigation and Bronx District Attorney’s Office ended a joint investigation, declining to press criminal charges against the officers involved.
“What happened to Layleen was absolutely unacceptable and it is critical that there is accountability,” Mayor de Blasio said in a statement.
City Hall said the action was the result of an internal DOC investigation into the case, but provided few details on the probe or its conclusions.
“Even one death in our custody is one too many and this swift and fair determination on internal discipline makes clear that the safety and wellbeing of people in our custody remains our top priority,” said DOC Commissioner Cynthia Brann.
Charges against the staffers include failure to conduct, required cell checks and making fraudulent log entries, a source said.
The city did not disclose if the DOC is moving to fire the four officers who are now suspended without pay. Nor did it say how long those suspensions would last.
However, the DOI/ Bronx DA probe did reveal that jailers failed to perform at least two required wellness checks on Polanco, leaving her cell un-inspected for 47 minutes despite requirements that they stop by every 15 minutes.
Polanco suffered from epilepsy and was locked up in solitary confinement for allegedly assaulting other prisoners on three occasions, according to a DOI memo.
“These suspensions represent an egregious abuse of power that is unprecedented,” said Correction Officers Benevolent Association president Elias Husamudeen, labeling the disciplinary charges as “a disgrace!”
“We will vigorously fight these suspensions and refuse to allow this city to demonize correction officers,” he added.