New York – An Inspector General probe found widespread misuse of police parking placards by lawmakers and other state officials, the Daily News has learned.

Inspector General Ellen Biben, who launched the probe at Gov. Cuomo’s request, will call for major changes in the way the parking passes are distributed, a source close to the probe told The News.

Thousands of placards stating a vehicle is on “official police business” have been issued by the state Department of Homeland Security – but distributed throughout the government.

Some go to the state police – others to the Office of Court Administration.

But many wind up in the hands of lawmakers and state officials who are not in law enforcement – and have no reason to be on official police business.

Biben also found that some people gave the placards to friends.

The “chronic and widespread” misuse and abuse of the placards do not rise to criminality, the source said.

“The IG has recommended changes be made to the program as a result of her probe,” the source said.

One change being considered, according to another source, is replacing the police placards for legislators and non-law enforcement officials with ones that say simply “official business.”

Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto said only that the governor is reviewing Biben’s findings.

Cuomo is said to have asked for the review of the placards shortly after taking office.

(Source: NY Daily News)