Stun Gun Charges Trigger Reshuffling of N.Y. Police

Police Commissioner Benjamin Ward, declaring a “crisis in confidence” after allegations by four men that officers tortured them with electric stun guns, announced a reshuffling of his top command Saturday.

“I will not tolerate brutal cops,” Ward said as he announced the removal of the commander of police in Queens, where the torture allegedly occurred.

Four men have complained that they were insulted, beaten and tortured with stun guns to force them to confess to drug charges.

Eighteen officers from the 106th Precinct have been transferred, four arrested and another suspended in connection with the complaints.

Ward said that all allegations of police brutality will be investigated and that those guilty will be punished. He said he was letting officers know that “only cowards brutalize people. Real men don’t have to prove their masculinity” by torturing others.

Ward said officers who do not report misconduct by colleagues will be punished, as will their superiors.

“You are not only responsible for what you do but what others do and (you) have knowledge of,” he said.

The Queens commander of police, Assistant Chief William F. Fitzpatrick, “indicated his desire to retire and is transferred immediately to the office of the chief of patrol,” Ward said. Assistant Police Chief Richard P. Dillon, now commander of Manhattan detectives, will take over.

Ward said that, effective immediately, the department’s Internal Affairs Division will handle all major citizen allegations of excessive force and brutality by officers. Major allegations were previously handled by the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which still will handle minor complaints.

Ward also announced a change in command at Internal Affairs, and said the department’s Inspectional Services Bureau will directly report brutality allegations to him.

Ward said he does not believe that the incidents were racially motivated, although all of the complainants have said they were subjected to racial epithets during the sessions.