Policy and Procedure Recommendations (PPR) Portal

DYCD

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

Before commencing work at an off-site location, the off-site employee should be required to attend an orientation with a representative of DYCD’s Human Resources Department to discuss the above-referenced policy.

Accepted

Yes

2018-03-15T00:00:00.000

DYCD

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

Timesheets submitted by off-site employees to DYCD should require the off-site employee to sign an acknowledgement that the form will be filed as part of the agency’s official records and that knowingly false statements could result in disciplinary or criminal sanctions.

Accepted

Yes

2018-03-15T00:00:00.000

DYCD

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

The off-site employee’s supervisor at the off-site location should also be requested to certify that each timesheet is accurate.

Accepted

Yes

2018-03-15T00:00:00.000

DYCD

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

Any off-site employees should meet in person with a DYCD representative (e.g., a representative of DYCD’s Human Resources) on at least a semiannual basis.

Accepted

Yes

2018-03-15T00:00:00.000

DYCD

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

Any off-site employees should be required to report to DYCD any atypical work schedules or work arrangements (e.g., arrangements to work from home or work irregular hours).

Accepted

Yes

2018-03-15T00:00:00.000

DYCD

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

In cases where a DYCD employee fails to report to work for any significant period of time – including in this case – DYCD should attempt to contact the employee directly or, if needed, through one of the employee’s emergency contacts.

Accepted

Yes

2018-03-15T00:00:00.000

DYCD

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

DYCD should review the findings of this investigation to determine what disciplinary action against the employee is appropriate, if any. Relatedly, DYCD should determine whether it would appropriate to deduct time from the employee's leave balances.

Accepted

Yes

2018-03-15T00:00:00.000

DOC

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

PAT/FRISK SEARCHES THAT INCLUDE SEARCHES OF A VISITOR'S CROTCH, BRA OR BUTTOCKS SHOULD BE SPECIFIC AND LIMITED AND CLEARLY DETAILED IN THE DIRECTIVE. * THE NEW DIRECTIVE SHOULD SPECIFICALLY PROHIBIT INSERTION OF FINGERS INTO ANY ORIFICES AND ABSENT REASONABLE CAUSE , PROLONGED CONTACT WITH THE BREASTS, BUTTOCKS OR GROIN. ALTERNATIVELY, THE NEW DIRECTIVE COULD DIRECT STAFF TO ORDER FEMALE VISITORS TO SHAKE OUT THEIR BRAS SO THAT STAFF ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE CONTACT WITH VISITORS BEASTS. 8 DOI BELIEVES THESE NEW SEARCH PROCEDURES WILL CONTINUE TO ALL DOC VISITATION STAFF TO THOROUGHLY SEARCH FOR CONTRABAND WHILE MINIMIZING THE POSSIBILITY THAT VISITORS CAN CLAIM THEY WERE DEMEANED HARASSED OR ASSAULTED DURING A SEARCH. ALSO, PLACEMENT AND EFFECTIVE USE OF STATE-OF-THE-ART FULL BODY SCANNERS IN EACH DOC VISITS FACILITY WOULD OBVIATE THE NEED FOR AN INVASIVE SEARCH OF A VISITOR'S BRA OR CROTCH AS THEY WOULD DETECT CONTRABAND OR OTHER SUSPICIOUS OBJECTS SECRETED IN OR UNDERNEATH CLOTHING.

Accepted

Yes

2018-06-01T00:00:00.000

DOC

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

CONDUCT PAT/FRISK SEARCHES IN AN OPEN AREA UNLESS A VISITOR REQUESTS FOR PRIVACY MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS REASONS, TO BE SEARCHED IN SEPARATE PRIVATE AREA. * IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND UNIFORMITY OF THE SEARCH PROCESS AND AGAIN REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY THAT VISITORS CAN MAKE ALLEGATIONS THAT THEY WERE HARASSED OR ASSAULTED DURING A SEARCH, DOI ENCOURAGES DOC TO HAVE STAFF CONDUCT ALL SEARCHES, INCLUDING PAT/FRISK SEARCHES IN AN OPEN PUBLIC AREA SUBJECT TO SURVEILLANCE CAMERA MONITORING. CONDUCTING SEARCHES IN OPEN VIEW ALLOWS VISITORS TO WITNESS OTHER BEING SEARCHED A PROCESS WHICH THUS ALLOWS THEM TO REASONABLY ANTICIPATE THE KIND OF SEARCH THEY THEMSELVES WILL BE SUBJECT TO. SEARCHES CONDUCTED IN OPEN VIEW ALSO ALLOW OTHER VISITORS AND STAFF TO WITNESS WHETHER A CO IS CONDUCTING A SEARCH APPROPRIATELY AND CONVERSELY WOULD DISCOURAGE HIM OR HER FROM ENGAGING IN A INAPPROPRIATE SEARCH. FINALLY, A SEARCH PERFORMED IN OPEN VIEW MAY ENCOURAGE VISITORS WHO HAVE BEEN INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHED TO SPEAK UP. * THE DIRECTIVE, HOWEVER, SHOULD PERMIT VISITORS TO BE SEARCHED IN PRIVATE AT THEIR REQUEST, SOME VISITORS FOR INSTANCE MIGHT HAVE DISABILITIES MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR RELIGIOUS OR PRIVACY PREFERENCES THAT REQUIRE A SEARCH TO OCCUR AWAY FROM PUBLIC VIEW, IN THESE CASES DOC SHOULD HAVE A SEPARATE SPACE IN EACH VISIT FACILITY FOR THESE SEARCHES TO OCCUR, EVEN THESE SEPARATE AREA, HOWEVER SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO VIDEO MONITORING AND CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED SIGNS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE AREA TO ALERT THE VISITOR THAT THE SEARCH IS BEING RECORDED.

Rejected

No

DOC

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

DOC STAFF CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO VISIT FACILITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REQUIRED TO UNDERGO ANY TRAINING TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH DOC'S DIRECTIVE FOR VISITATION SEARCH PROCEDURES, THIS LACK OF TRAINING EXPLAINS WHY MANY VISIT STAFF AT THIS FACILITIES DOI OBSERVED CONDUCT PAT/FRISK SEARCHES IN VIOLATION OF THE DIRECTIVE AND WHY SEARCH PROCEDURES VARY FROM ONE FACILITY TO ANOTHER. * REQUIRE ALL DOC VISITATION STAFF TO UNDERGO TRAINING FOR CONDUCTING DIRECTIVE-BASED PAT/FRISK SEARCHES.

Accepted

Yes

2018-04-18T00:00:00.000

DOC

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

CONSPICUOUSLY POST SIGNS CONTAINING ENGLISH AND SPANISH TEXT DESCRIPTIONS AND GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS IN ALL VISITATION FACILITIES INFORMING VISITORS OF DOC PAT/FRISK EACH PROCEDURES. * IN ORDER TO PROMOTE UNIFORMITY AND TRANSPARENCY OF VISITATION PAT/FRISK SEARCHES, DOC SHOULD CONSPICUOUSLY POST SIGNS CONTAINING ENGLISH AND SPANISH TEXT DESCRIPTIONS AS WELL A GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS INFORMING VISITORS OF ITS PROCEDURES. AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, DOI'S SITE VISITS REVEALED THAT DOC'S CURRENT VISITATION SEARCH PRACTICES VARY FROM ONE FACILITY TO ANOTHER, SOME STAFF ALSO REGULARLY CONDUCTED PAT/FRISK SEARCHES IN WAYS THAT VIOLATED DOC'S DIRECTIVE, THESE STANDARDIZED AND CONSPICUOUSLY PLACED SIGNS CONTAINING TEST DESCRIPTIONS AND GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS IN DOC'S VISITATION FACILITIES SHOULD ALLOW VISITORS TO EASILY ANTICIPATE AND UNDERSTAND HOW AND WHERE ON THEIR BODIES THEY WILL BE SEARCHED. ADDITIONALLY, THESE SIGNS SHOULD INCLUDE DOI'S COMPLAINT LINE NUMBER TO NOTIFY VISITORS THAT COMPLAINTS OF HARASSMENT OR IMPROPER SEARCHING OR TOUCHING SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO DOC FOR INVESTIGATION.

Accepted

Yes

2018-03-22T00:00:00.000

DOC

2016-12-22T00:00:00.000

ASSIGN AT LEAST ONE DRUG-SNIFFING CANINE TO EACH DOC VISITOR FACILITY. * DOI RECOMMENDS THAT DOC EMPLOY AT LEAST ONE DRUG-SNIFFING CANINE IN EACH OF ITS VISIT FACILITIES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT STAFF RECEIVE THE REQUIRED ASSISTANCE TO DETECT NARCOTICS CONTRABAND THAT MIGHT BE SMUGGLED BY VISITORS AND TO DETER FURTHER CONTRABAND DELIVERIES. IN LARGER VISIT FACILITIES WITH MORE VISITORS, IT MAY BE PRUDENT TO EMPLOY MULTIPLE CANINES. CURRENTLY, DOC APPEARS TO BE UNDER-UTILIZING DRUG-SNIFFING CANINES IN ITS VISITATION FACILITIES. IN FACT OF THE NINE FACILITIES AT WHICH SITE VISITS WERE CONDUCTED, DOI INVESTIGATORS OBSERVED A DRUG-SNIFFING CANINE EMPLOYED AT ONLY ONE FACILITY (CENTRAL VISITS). BECAUSE THESE CANINES CAN DETECT NARCOTICS THAT COS MIGHT NOT DISCOVER THROUGH ROUTINE SEARCHES, THEY SHOULD BE EMPLOYED ON VISITORS REASONABLE BELIEVED TO BE SMUGGLING NARCOTICS. DOI FURTHER RECOMMENDS THAT DOC CONSPICUOUSLY POST SIGNS NOTIFYING VISITORS AS TO THE PRESENCE OF CANINES. CURRENT DOC VISITATION SEARCH PROCEDURES WHILE PERHAPS EFFECTIVE HAVE FAILED TO ADEQUATELY HOLD STAFF ACCOUNTABLE AGAINST POTENTIAL ABUSES AND MISCONDUCT.

Rejected

No

DHS

2016-12-30T00:00:00.000

DHS should bring all Family Hotels, including New Dawn, into contract within a reasonable period or initiate steps to close.

Accepted

Yes

2016-07-01T00:00:00.000

DHS

2016-12-30T00:00:00.000

DHS should establish a critical CAP response unit to track and ensure those deficiencies discovered at Family Hotels through RSRI and which require 24 hour responses are addressed by the provider immediately.

Practice Already in Place

Practice Already in Place

2016-07-01T00:00:00.000

Agency self-reported practice already in place

DHS

2016-12-30T00:00:00.000

DHS should coordinate with other members of the Shelter Repair Squad to conduct more frequent inspections of Family Hotels and enforcement of FDNY and HPD violations as leverage to encourage remedial actions by the providers.

Accepted

Yes

2016-07-01T00:00:00.000

DHS

2016-12-30T00:00:00.000

DHS should audit RSRI reports and CAPs of all facilities operated by Father Gordon Duggins to ensure compliance with all inspection findings.

Practice Already in Place

Practice Already in Place

2017-06-28T00:00:00.000

Agency self-reported practice already in place

TLC

2017-01-03T00:00:00.000

DOI recommends that TLC establish and circulate written policies regarding improper use and unauthorized installation of emergency lights and sirens packages within any vehicles operated by employees in accordance to City Hall directives and New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws.

Accepted

Yes

2018-03-19T00:00:00.000

NYCHA

2017-01-03T00:00:00.000

NYCHA should implement a policy that would prohibiting a principal with an ownership interest in more than one company from submitting invoices or being approved for NYCHA contracts when any of the companies is under VNC review.

Rejected

No

OCME

2017-01-04T00:00:00.000

The Bronx facility that will better track the time and attendance of employees, including but not limited to requiring employees to use CityTime Hand scanners or the CityTime web clock feature, or requiring employees to sign a log book when entering or exiting the Bronx facility.

Accepted

Yes

2017-01-25T00:00:00.000

DYCD

2017-01-05T00:00:00.000

DYCD should ensure that as part of its exit interview process, that all cell phones are collected from each employee who was assigned one.

Accepted

Yes

2017-02-02T00:00:00.000

DYCD

2017-01-05T00:00:00.000

DYCD’s IT unit should conduct a periodic inventory review of all electronic communication devices (cellphones and tablets) to ensure that all items are accounted for.

Accepted

Yes

2017-02-02T00:00:00.000

DOP

2017-01-12T00:00:00.000

DOI RECOMMENDED THAT ALL THE DOP STAFF BE REMINDED IN AN AGENCY-WIDE TELETYPE OR OTHER WRITTEN NOTICE OF THEIR "AFFIRMATIVE OBLIGATION" UNDER MEO NO. 16, SECTION 4 "TO REPORT, DIRECTLY AND WITHOUT UNDUE DELAY TO DOI ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONCERNING CONDUCT WHICH THEY KNOW OR SHOULD REASONABLY KNOW TO INVOLVE CORRUPT OR OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST, BY ANOTHER CITY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, WHICH CONCERNS HIS OR HER OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT.

Pending

Pending

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should commit to creating timelines for any changes to its CIT initiative within 90 days of the publication of this Report.

Accepted

Yes

2019-04-01T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should adjust its dispatch procedures to ensure that officers with CIT training are directed to crisis incidents.

Accepted

No

Partially implemented

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should create a dedicated mental health unit, or at the very least appoint a CIT coordinator who holds the rank of chief, in order to manage all aspects of a CIT program.

Accepted

Yes

2022-03-31T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should revise its Patrol Guide to explicitly authorize CIT-trained officers to use the skills learned in CIT training during crisis situations.

Accepted

Yes

2017-11-01T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should revise its Patrol Guide to require that CIT-trained officers respond to all crisis incidents whenever possible.

Accepted

Yes

2017-11-01T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should revise its Patrol Guide to allow all officers to use their discretion to refer individuals to officially approved and vetted outside community resources in appropriate incidents.

Accepted

Yes

2019-04-01T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should either substantially revise one of its current forms or develop a new permanent form to capture more useful data on incidents involving persons in crisis.

Accepted

Yes

2019-04-01T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should analyze data regarding mental crisis incidents.

Accepted

Yes

2023-03-31T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should consider training more officers in CIT.

Accepted

Yes

2018-04-01T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should begin training 911 call takers and dispatchers in at least some aspects of CIT.

Accepted

Yes

2018-04-01T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

In every CIT training, NYPD should ensure that its officers interact with people living with mental illnesses.

Accepted

Yes

2018-01-01T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

In every CIT training, NYPD should assess the retention of officers’ skills.

Accepted

Yes

2019-04-01T00:00:00.000

NYPD

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000

NYPD should provide a manual or reference guide to officers who undergo CIT training.

Accepted

Yes

2020-04-09T00:00:00.000

COIB

2017-01-20T00:00:00.000

DOI determined that the participation of NYPD employees in test prep companies may implicate a violation of Chapter 68 of the New York City Charter, §2604(b )(14). Due to the amount of attention given by the media, and the number of open questions raised on the matter of superior/subordinate relationships with respect to test prep companies, it is recommended that COIB release an advisory opinion on the same.

Accepted

Yes

2017-02-08T00:00:00.000

NYCHA

2017-01-25T00:00:00.000

Utilize commercial cards by RAs to provide NYCHA with greater oversight of RAs' use and spending of TPA funds, and the ability to track and monitor the RAs' purchases in real time.

Accepted

Yes

2017-06-08T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Case Practice Policies: ACS should review policy, revise to make consistent as needed, and issue revised policy memo(s) to all staff regarding: the 24/48 hour policies; the policies surrounding DIR and criminal history checks; and the requirement to attempt collateral contacts when unable to find a child.

Accepted

Yes

2019-07-08T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Case Practice Policies: ACS should revise its child welfare clearance policy to make clear that all individuals listed in an SCR Report must undergo all required database searches, using name variations and combinations.  ACS should establish and implement a proactive auditing methodology to determine adherence to the revised policy.

Accepted

Yes

2019-06-01T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Case Practice Policies: ACS should revise its policy regarding using ICs for database searches and for going into the field to help with investigations, and set forth specified instances in which ICs are to be utilized for both.

Accepted

Yes

2017-01-25T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Case Practice Policies: ACS should issue a new policy mandating ECS follow-through and oversight, including but not limited to CNNX review of high priority cases, regardless of OCFS coding, from one shift to the next consecutive shift, even when it is determined that no field visit is recommended for the subsequent shift.  In high priority cases, reasons why no field work will be conducted during any shift must be documented in CNNX.

Accepted

Yes

2022-10-01T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Case Practice Policies: ACS should issue a policy requiring that anything written on an ECS Case Follow Up Request (Flag Sheet) must be entered into CNNX.  The policy should include a directive that any instructions on the Flag Sheets do not relieve the next staff member of utilizing required, independent case review of the flagged case.

Accepted

Yes

2022-10-01T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Case Practice Policies: ACS should issue a policy memo to assure that all CPS investigations are treated in accordance with ACS policy and case practice requirements, regardless of source.  Cases with anonymous sources are not to be treated differently.

Accepted

Yes

2022-10-01T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Overarching Recommendation: For all recommendations that involve new, re-issued, or revised policy, ACS should update and assure consistency in any and all relevant procedure manuals, including but not limited to, the DCP Case Practice Requirements Manual, IRT Protocol, and ACRSplus Manual; and staff should be trained at: the James Satterwhite Academy; ACS Workforce Institute; and by DCP Managers during monthly zone and program area debriefings, including at ECS, with the Division of Policy, Planning and Measurement's (PPM's) key talking points and slide show presentations.

Accepted

Yes

2025-09-01T00:00:00.000

Partially implemented

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

ACS PPM Audits and Practice Reviews: ACS should ensure proper oversight of its staff through regular and ad hoc auditing and should add audit staff as necessary to PPM in order to do so.   As part of this process, ACS should establish a Quality Assurance, Improvement and Accountability team to oversee DCP, including ECS, including adding 25 staff in DCP and 11 staff in PPM for this team in FY 2017.  ACS should continue this expansion into FY 2018.  ACS should further build a 12 member accountability unit in PPM and implement a uniform case audit practice and auditing tool to audit staff and cases as necessary.

Accepted

Yes

2019-09-30T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Instant Response Team: ACS's IRT managers, using tools and protocols prepared in conjunction with PPM, should review a daily sample of screened-out cases to determine if cases are being inappropriately screened out.

Accepted

Yes

2017-02-28T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Instant Response Team: The IRT leadership team should, using a standardized tool and protocol prepared in conjunction with PPM, measure and reinforce common practice across all IRTCs in making referrals.

Accepted

Yes

2017-02-28T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

ACS PPM Audits and Practice Reviews: PPM should audit casework practices of relevant ACS employees, and share results with DOI, regarding the following issues: Communication with IRTCs; - Their review of the work of CPSs they supervise; - Review of copy and pasting directives; - Number of cases flagged to next shift without child found or contact made; - Number of cases flagged to Borough office without child found or contact made; - Number of cases flagged to Borough office without Child Protective Manager (CPM) consultation, where required. Clearance checks review for quality as well as for whom reviewed; - DIR & criminal history requests made; - Requests for IC/IRTC Assistance on any case assigned to her that has positive DIR or criminal history results. Collateral contacts in field; - Consults with IRTCs/ICs or CNNX notes with requests for Sup II to do consults. - Percentage of caseload sent for IRT; - Number of times unknown info/no contact led to flagging case to next shift; - Number of times unknown info/no contact and case deemed insufficient for IRT. - Entries in CNNX that have no time associated where time entry field is enabled; - Multiple Events in one CNNX entry; - CNNX entries past five days; - Copy and pasting. IRTC Richard Bond: - Percentage of caseload sent for IRT; - Number of times unknown info/no contact led to flagging case to next shift; - Number of times unknown info/ no contact and case deemed insufficient for IRT; - Compare how Bond handles cases with domestic violence allegations in narrative with other IRTCs.

Accepted

Yes

2017-01-25T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

ACS PPM Audits and Practice Reviews: PPM should analyze data reports and, where data is not available, perform Quality Case Reviews of CPS's and Sup II's case work practice in ECS and in CPS borough offices to measure compliance with: a. Database searches of all individuals named in the SCR Report and documentation of the results in  CNNX; ACS should work with OCFS to track completion of all required database searches in CNNX. In the interim, ACS should pull a sample from HHS Connect and WMS to determine ECS case worker compliance and compare to Applications Unit compliance. Conduct a qualitative review of cases where child not found within 24/48 hours to review attempted collateral contacts. c.    Policies surrounding DIR and criminal history checks of all subjects.

Accepted

Yes

2020-05-04T00:00:00.000

ACS

2017-01-26T00:00:00.000

Instant Response Team: ACS should clarify the role of IRT managers in oversight, supervision and decision making, and ensure adequate IRT management staffing.

Accepted

Yes

2017-02-28T00:00:00.000