NYPD ticket-fixing scandal: Wiretap recordings reveal cops' racist talk

New York, Sep 26(ANI): Investigators probing New York City Police Department (NYPD)'s ticket-fixing scandal have found wiretap recordings in which some officers' conversations were rife with racist and inflammatory remarks.

"I think the language will surprise and upset people," the New York Daily News quoted a source, who has heard some of the tapes, as saying.

"There's overtly racist language. That's how a lot of cops talk. The difference here is, it's all on tape," the source added.

One example involves Officer Peter Hans, who was docked vacation days for getting tickets fixed.

He was caught on the wire making disparaging remarks about the Bronx "ghettos" of Mott Haven and Melrose, where he was assigned, the report said.

Legal experts now believe that the shocking language could cause the scandal to spiral far beyond the 17 cops already indicted.

"It's going to be the biggest parade of [arrested] cops we've seen in a long time," another source said.

Seventeen officers suspected of fixing traffic tickets for family, friends and for profit have already been indicted by a Bronx grand jury after a three year investigation uncovered a web of corruption within the NYPD.

New reports suggest that officers will be arrested next week on charges including obstruction, perjury, bribery, rewarding official misconduct, and grand larceny.

The officers in question are accused of accepting cash, liquor and other gifts. Hundreds more are expected to face departmental charges. (ANI)