NYPD Officer Secures $175K Settlement Over ‘Courtesy Cards’ for Drivers

A New York City police officer has settled a lawsuit against the city for $175,000. This lawsuit revealed the controversial use of “courtesy cards” given to officers that allow friends and family to potentially evade traffic tickets and minor law infractions. The agreement was filed in federal court in Manhattan on Monday.

This settlement concludes the suit initiated by Officer Mathew Bianchi last year, where he alleged that he faced punitive actions from his superiors for not honoring these courtesy cards. However, the settlement will not bring any significant changes to the current practices surrounding the use of these cards by officers.

These laminated cards, which usually display an NYPD badge and represent various police unions, are not officially sanctioned by the police department but have long been considered a job perk. The police unions distribute them to their members, who then pass them along to those who want to leverage perceived connections with law enforcement, often in attempts to avoid penalties for minor offenses like speeding or not wearing a seatbelt.

Bianchi has maintained his stance on the misuse of these cards. The 40-year-old officer from Staten Island believes there needs to be more oversight on how many of these cards are distributed and stronger protections for officers who expose their unethical usage.

“This is a form of corruption,” he remarked during a phone interview. “My approach won’t change, even if I face pushback from superiors. I will continue to act according to what I believe is right.”

His attorney, John Scola, expressed hope that Bianchi’s case would encourage other officers within the department to come forward as whistleblowers. “Officer Bianchi showed remarkable courage by confronting the culture in the NYPD, prioritizing ethics over his career safety,” Scola stated.

The administration of Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the details of the settlement but refrained from providing any additional comments. Nicholas Paolucci, a spokesperson for the law department, noted in an email, “Resolving this case was best for all parties involved.”

Bianchi’s lawsuit contended that both current and retired officers have access to numerous courtesy cards and that they are sometimes used to gain discounts on meals or home improvement services.

He accused the department of reprimanding him repeatedly for issuing tickets to the friends and family of fellow officers, even when they presented a courtesy card. The situation escalated when he ticketed a driver who turned out to be connected to Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, during the summer of 2022. Following this incident, Bianchi was removed from his role in the traffic unit and assigned to night patrol.

The police department has abstained from commenting, directing inquiries to the law department instead. The Police Benevolent Association, the largest union representing NYPD officers, has not responded to requests for comment regarding these issues.

Bianchi shared that he has transitioned back to a day shift but his career advancement opportunities have been hampered by the ongoing implications of his lawsuit. “I’ve applied for numerous positions since my reassignment, and they’ve denied me every time,” he stated. “It’s clear to me why I haven’t been considered for these roles.”

Despite the challenges, Bianchi expressed no regrets about pursuing the lawsuit. “I’m proud that I didn’t stand by quietly in the face of punishment and retaliation,” he affirmed. “I’m glad I took a stand.”