Bombshell lawsuit alleges KKK image, racist messages appear in NYPD group chat
The lawsuit includes screenshots from an NYPD group chat that allegedly show officers sharing a doctored image of a detective in a Ku Klux Klan hood, along with racist memes and slurs targeting immigrants, Latinos and Jewish people.
A former Bronx NYPD detective is suing New York City, alleging racism, retaliation and a toxic culture inside a Manhattan narcotics unit, backed by what he says are disturbing group chat messages.
The lawsuit includes screenshots from an NYPD group chat that allegedly show officers sharing a doctored image of a detective in a Ku Klux Klan hood, along with racist memes and slurs targeting immigrants, Latinos and Jewish people.
“That’s only 1% of the evidence,” said Luis Pichardo.
Pichardo, 41, is a Bronx native who spent 19 years with the NYPD and made more than 1,000 arrests during his career.
“I went to Walton High School in the Bronx, applied to John Jay College and applied then to be a police cadet,” said Pichardo.
He claims that in 2025, he was passed over for a prestigious promotion and was told he was “too old” at 41 and that the unit “spoke a lot of English” during his interview.
“I have a strong accent, as you can tell," Pichardo said. "I’ve been to trial. I’ve been to grand jury."
According to the lawsuit, less experienced white detectives were selected instead, some without even interviewing.
Pichardo alleges that after he complained, his overtime was cut in half, impacting his pension, and he was ostracized by colleagues. He also claims a supervisor suggested he could still get the job if he dropped his complaint.
“If they cut your overtime, your pension goes down right away,” said Pichardo.
He says the situation ultimately forced him to retire in July 2025.
“I’m only 41," the former detective said. "I can be in the department until 62, but I couldn’t handle it."
The lawsuit further alleges officers circulated antisemitic content, joked about the deaths of Black men at the hands of police and shared a Nazi swastika.
It also cites messages referencing a coworker’s Dominican flag and a text in response from his supervisor with an ICE logo and a message that said, "see if they can help."
After one of the group chat screenshots surfaced publicly, the lawsuit claims a member of the chat asked, “Why can’t there be one-hour disappearing messages?”
“When he said that, I was like, 'Wow,'” said Pichardo.
Despite the fallout, Pichardo says he does not regret coming forward.
“No, a lot of police officers, detectives, they stay quiet," said Pichardo. "This happened to me and I’m going to speak up for the next generation that are trying to apply to NYPD to not have that situation in the future."
The NYPD sent News 12 the following statement: "The NYPD has zero tolerance for hate and discrimination of any kind. These allegations are deeply disturbing and are under internal investigation."
Stay with News 12 for updates as the lawsuit moves through the courts.
