The news organization BuzzFeed sued the New York City Police Department late Tuesday over claims the department is inappropriately restricting access to officer disciplinary trial transcripts and other information, despite substantial state and federal court precedent establishing a clear right of access to such material.

“The NYPD imposes a level of secrecy on disciplinary hearings that is unheard of in most government proceedings—including the military’s. It’s also unconstitutional,” BuzzFeed spokesman Matt Mittenthal said in a statement. “That’s why we are asking the court to recognize the right of journalists to monitor and observe how law enforcement handles misconduct within its own ranks. The public has a right to know.”