NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- An NYPD officer has been suspended without pay for spraying mace at a group of people during a June 1 protest in Manhattan, Commissioner Dermot Shea announced Monday afternoon.
"Today I have an update on a troubling incident involving a member of the department that occurred during recent demonstration activity," Shea said in a statement. "We are sharing an update as part of our efforts at greater transparency."
He explained, "On June 1, 2020 in Manhattan, an officer discharged mace at a group of bystanders. IAB conducted an investigation and this Probationary Police Officer has been suspended without pay. This case has been referred to the Department Advocate for disciplinary action."
He added, "There are other matters that we are actively investigating and we will continue to be transparent as the process continues. Trust is critical to effective policing. Trust takes a long time to earn and it is very easy to lose. We will continue to work relentlessly to earn and keep that trust because without community partnership, we cannot effectively do our jobs."
Shea did not reveal the officer's name or which precinct he works at.