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NEW YORK — About 2,500 people have lodged formal complaints in the past 4 1/2 years with the New York Police Department, reporting that officers acted with bias toward them.

Not a single allegation has been substantiated by the Police Department.

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In a report issued Wednesday, a city watchdog agency found the investigations of these complaints against the police lacking, and recommended changes to how the department classifies and handles bias allegations.

Often, allegations were listed as unsubstantiated or unfounded, and closed, according to the report by the city’s Department of Investigation.

In some cases officers misclassified complaints or failed to interview people involved. The report also concluded that police officials did not take bias allegations as seriously as they do other kinds of police misconduct.

“Establishing effective and fair processes for the investigation of biased policing allegations is a fundamental component of the Police Department’s relationship with the public, helping to build trust and confidence,” Margaret Garnett, the DOI commissioner, said in a statement.