Civilian Complaint Review Board interim chairwoman Arva Rice has blasted the NYPD over a lack of discipline of officers, including those involved in the police shooting death of Kawaski Trawick five years ago.

“We believe the CCRB should have the final authority when it comes to police misconduct,” she said in October on NY1’s “Inside City Hall.” “We believe that what we provide as recommendations, should not be recommendations but that we should have the final say.”

The hard stance against the police department may have pushed Mayor Eric Adams and his top public safety advisers too much.  

Sources say Rice has been asked to step down as interim chairperson.  

During a news conference on the city’s budget, the mayor said Rice was not pushed out.

A City Hall spokesperson added that Rice’s interim term as chairwoman was up in July and that she is still a board member on the CCRB.

The mayor elevated Rice to chair in February 2022. She was already on the board under former Mayor Bill de Blasio. 

In a CCRB public hearing last week, which was also virtual, Rice slammed the NYPD and City Hall, especially over the killing of Trawick, who cops said was holding a knife inside his Bronx home.  

“The CCRB received a complaint and requested evidence and body worn footage from NYPD and did not receive anything for 18 months. The CCRB investigation established that both officers improperly entered Kawaski home and that officer Thompson improperly tased Mr. Trawick and the officer Thompson improperly shot Mr. Trawick,” she said.

Rice alleges the NYPD didn’t do a legitimate investigation before clearing the officers of any wrongdoing.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark also declined to prosecute the officers.

However, the attorney for Trawick’s family said it’s outrageous that Rice is being removed or stepping down. Royce Russell said she has been aggressive in this case.  

“I have been before the board, the CCRB board, on the Trawick matter. I have heard the comments and I know what they are pursuing. They are pursuing the case to go before the Department of Justice,” said Russell.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who has stood with Trawick’s family, said he believes the mayor who is a retired police captain and who for many years has spoken out against police misconduct is no longer impartial.

“It seems to have been a shift on how he is now viewing these things and I think that is not good for New Yorkers as a whole and to take it out on various entities particularly entities that are there to provide the kind of oversight that the CCRB is providing,” said Williams. 

Rice, who is also the head of the New York Urban League, has called for millions in additional funding for the CCRB, to investigate complaints against cops.

Rice and the CCRB did not have a comment about her being asked to step down.

It’s unclear when that move will happen.