do you realize how many civilian complaints are filed every year? only the most serious cases even get close to "almost losing a badge". the NYPD under Rudy conducted stop and frisk sweeps all over the city with the street crimes units - far worse then asking someone to open a bag - I didn't see any stories of en masse badge pulling.
I almost had a job with the civilian complaint review board, they get hundreds if not thousands of complaints a year, the NYPD Unions (with one notable exception) are strange when it comes to its members, I mean really strange.
That said, if you get IAB involved, they are usually pretty quick to judge you, and Rudy is no longer mayor, Bloomberg is, and Ray Kelly is an ass who seems to have more problems with rank and file then encouragement.