A prominent lawyer with a civil-rights background has been named to lead the civilian panel that reviews misconduct complaints against New York police officers.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that Richard Emery will chair the Civilian Complaint Review Board. The former chairman stepped down last winter.

Emery is a former New York Civil Liberties Union lawyer. More recently, he’s represented clients including one of the former Duke lacrosse players who were falsely accused of rape.

The decades-old CCRB has been criticized as ineffective — including by Emery. He says he’s sometimes advised his own clients not to approach the panel because of doubts that they would get a swift, just outcome.

He says he aims to create more confidence in the panel while insuring officers are treated fairly.

(AP)