Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD Keeps Paying 300 Outcast "Rubber-Gun Squad" Cops
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 20, 2011
Modified Mar 20, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 20, 2011
Modified Mar 20, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
NYPD: What job security! Apparently, 300 cops who have had their guns and badges revoked for things like domestic abuse, assault or civil rights violations are still getting paid their full salaries while doing administrative work civilians could complete for a third of the pay. Among those on the "rubber-gun squad" are the three officers who fatally shot Sean Bell and the one who fired rounds at Amadou Diallo. Many have been cleared of both criminal and departmental charges, but the NYPD just doesn't trust them with guns again.
Kenneth Boss, who fired rounds at Diallo, has been in the "squad" for 12 years, raking in an annual pay of $104,526 as a Floyd Bennett Field repairman. Kadiatou Diallo, Diallo's mother, said, "We need changes. Why does this individual [Boss] remain a police officer?" But even Ray Kelly can't do much; the Commish can suspend an officer without pay for 30 days, but after that civil-service laws force the NYPD to put the cop back to work with full pay. And if a cop is fired after criminal charges have been cleared, the department risks lawsuits, which would just waste taxpayer money (on something other than salaries).
An NYPD spokesman noted that cops on modified duty represented just one percent of the police force, but Eugene O'Donnell, a John Jay College professor, said, "We probably have a small-city-sized department of people who get paid and don't do police work."
Tagged
gun
nypd
rubber-gun squad
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures two, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .