FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Demand for fairness: Lt. Epps’s lawyer pushes for reinstatement, back pay, and retirement protections after unjust NYPD suspension
New York, NY – December 24, 2024 – Attorney Eric Sanders of The Sanders Firm, P.C., has issued a formal request to NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, calling for the immediate reinstatement of Lieutenant Quathisha Epps, a highly respected 19-year veteran of the NYPD, who was recently and unjustly suspended. The letter, addressed directly to Commissioner Tisch, outlines key demands to correct this unfair action and protect Epps’s rights and professional legacy.
A Career of Service and Leadership
Lieutenant Epps has dedicated nearly two decades to public service, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and leadership throughout her career. As the former head of the Neighborhood Policing Unit, she has worked tirelessly to build trust and strengthen relationships between the NYPD and New York City’s diverse communities. Her efforts include mentoring teenagers as part of the NYPD’s Finest Basketball Team and sharing her own story of overcoming personal adversity to inspire survivors of domestic violence.
Epps’s remarkable personal journey includes surviving childhood trauma, overcoming domestic violence, and defeating cancer three times—all while rising through the ranks of the NYPD. Her suspension undermines her integrity and the values the department claims to uphold.
Key Demands Outlined in the Letter
In his letter to Commissioner Tisch, Attorney Sanders detailed the following demands to ensure Lieutenant Epps’s rights are protected, and her contributions to the NYPD are acknowledged:
- Immediate Reinstatement: Lieutenant Epps must be reinstated to her position with full back pay, benefits, and accrued leave time, ensuring she is made whole.
- Retirement Process: Lieutenant Epps must be allowed to complete her Vested Interest Retirement Pension process without prejudice or further obstruction, enabling her to retire with dignity and security.
- Identification and Safety Protections: Under H.R. 218 (The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act), Lieutenant Epps should be issued an unrestricted retired police identification card and full carry permit, consistent with the protections provided to retired law enforcement officers.
“These demands are not just about addressing the harm caused to Lieutenant Epps but also about reaffirming the NYPD’s commitment to fairness and transparency,” said Attorney Sanders.
Concerns Over Procedural Fairness
Attorney Sanders expressed serious concerns about the procedural handling of Lieutenant Epps’s suspension, calling it “retaliatory and unjustified.” The suspension follows troubling allegations involving coercion, manipulation, and abuse of power by former Chief of Department Jeffrey B. Maddrey. Sanders noted that Lieutenant Epps’s suspension had compounded the harm caused by Maddrey’s misconduct and called on the NYPD to take swift action to rectify this injustice.
“Lieutenant Epps has given nearly 20 years of her life to the NYPD, serving with distinction and rising above incredible personal and professional challenges. To suspend her without just cause is a disservice to her and to the values the NYPD claims to stand for,” said Sanders.
A Call for Immediate Action
In the letter, Sanders urged Commissioner Tisch to act swiftly, stating that addressing Lieutenant Epps’s reinstatement is necessary and urgent to uphold the department’s integrity. He emphasized that the NYPD must demonstrate its commitment to fairness, accountability, and protecting its members from retaliatory actions.
“We believe that reinstating Lieutenant Epps with full benefits and allowing her to complete her retirement process without prejudice is the right step forward. The department has an opportunity to show that it will not tolerate retaliation or the misuse of power,” Sanders concluded.
About The Sanders Firm, P.C.
The Sanders Firm, P.C., is a New York-based law firm specializing in civil rights and employment law. Led by Attorney Eric Sanders, the firm is committed to advocating for justice and ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect under the law.
For more information on this case and its developments, visit The Sanders Firm, P.C., or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
The Sanders Firm, P.C.
30 Wall Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Phone: 212-652-2782
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Letter Requesting Reinstatement