Exclusive: Albany Common Council Asks State Investigation Committee to Look into Albany Police Department

UPDATED 3:51 p.m.

Six members of the Albany Common Council have sent a letter to the New York State Investigations Committee asking them to investigate the Albany Police Department.

CBS 6 Albany News Chief Ken Screven obtained a copy of a letter signed by council president Shawn Morris and five other aldermen and women that asks the SIC to look into the police department's handling of complaints of police misconduct.

The council members say in the letter that they have noticed what they called a "disturbing trend of improper behavior by some department members... and inadequate or insufficient responses by the police administration."

The letter goes on to say that they believe that there are instances in which the police department's administration has failed.

The Common Council members point to the federal brutality case of Officer William Bonanni accused of stomping on the neck of a black suspect and a recent case of a Ravena woman who said police gave her a body cavity search on the street and said she was advised by internal affairs from filing a complaint as examples of improper behavior.

Police chief James Tuffey responded in a statement late Thursday afternoon, announcing he will "facilitate and cooperate in any way that is requested of my office."

But he added that his department has made progress in the two and a half years since he became chief, citing a decrease in violent crime and installation of technology that has made police service more efficient. Tuffey also said he's forged new partnerships with community leaders and groups.

"Each and every example that the Common Council has made in their request to the Commission of Investigation has been handled in a professional and appropriate manner," Tuffey said. "In most instances the investigations are still ongoing, but as a result of the incidents policies have been changed and strengthened to reinforce our commitment to accountability."

"As long as I am chief of police of the Albany Police Department, the administration will continue to strive to provide the most professional service to our community," he continued.

To read the letter from the Albany Common Council, click on the link to the right.

Check back to cbs6albany.com for details.