The NYPD’s former chief of detectives filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging he was forced out of the department and retaliated against because he raised concerns over what he viewed as improper promotions and transfers,

The former chiefs argued in court papers they lost their jobs after raising concerns that unqualified officers connected to then-police commissioner Edward Caban were being promoted to sensitive positions in the department.

A group of former top New York City Police Department officials filed a series of four lawsuits claiming the force is led by cronyism, corruption, and retaliation. The suits were brought by former Chief of Detectives James Essig,