The New York Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the NYPD to force it to disclose a portion of a disciplinary process that’s never been open to the public.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the suit seeks the written opinions of NYPD administrative judges in all department trials of officers whose misconduct allegations were substantiated by the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

The cases involve noncriminal allegations of excessive force, abuse of authority, offensive language and discourtesy.

The trials are open to the public. But judges’ written opinions and the police commissioner’s disciplinary rulings are not.

The lawsuit says it’s of “vital public interest” to know “how the NYPD is disposing of cases charging police officers with misconduct.”

The city’s Law Department says it’s reviewing the lawsuit.

(Source: NBC New York)