The reversal comes after the NYPD officials discovered that 31 officers should not have been permitted to join the force after failing their background checks and were notified that they are out of a job.
The officers hired between 2023 and 2024 had received a final notice of disqualification for various reasons during the application process.
Despite failing their background checks, they were able to enter the police academy.
Some of the disqualifying reasons included lying about criminal convictions, past arrests and license suspensions as well as hiding firearms.
The NYPD said those officers have been asked to turn in their guns and resign immediately or face termination.
The prior head of the Candidate Assessment Division, Inspector Terrell Anderson, was previously placed on modified duty and was transferred to the Housing Bureau in May.
He is under internal investigation and could soon face departmental charges.
An NYPD spokesperson released a statement saying, "Following an internal investigation, the NYPD recently identified officers who joined the department in the past two years despite receiving final notices of disqualification during the application process, which is a violation of the law. The department was not legally allowed to hire these individuals and was forced to inform them that they could no longer continue as members of the NYPD."
However, a state Supreme Court judge granted the PBA's temporary restraining order request against the department, which will prevent the firings for now.
"We grateful for the pause in these unjust firings, but this is only the first step. These police officers did nothing wrong," said PBA President Patrick Hendry. "It is not their fault that their hiring was tainted by a rogue inspector and arbitrary process. In many cases, they were initially disqualified for minor issues and may have been hired on appeal if given the opportunity to do so. Many of these police officers have served with distinction. some have even received awards for their work protecting their communities. All we are asking for is the fair process they were denied, so they can continue to show who they truly are. These dedicated officers have already proven their value. They must be treated like the professionals they are."
The PBA says the union and city will appear in court on July 15 to argue the case.
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