N.Y. PCM Law § 4

§ 4. Any commissioner of police, superintendent of police, chief of\npolice, or other officer or officers, having the management, control or\ndirection of the police force of any city of the first or second class\nin this state, (excepting such cities which on December thirty-first,\nnineteen hundred and ten, had in force and operation a three platoon\nsystem) who shall fail to divide such force into three platoons within\nthe time prescribed in section one of this act shall be deemed to have\nforfeited his office and, upon the written petition of any citizen of\nthe city in which such violation took place, must be removed therefrom\nby the supreme court of the judicial district within which such city is\ncontained. A copy of such petition must be served upon the officer\naccused and he shall have the right to appear and to give evidence and\nto be heard in his defense.\n