MANORVILLE, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Long Island detective with the Rockville Centre Police Department was arrested and charged with a hate crime on Wednesday for allegedly using racial slur against a Black cellphone technician and damaging his SUV earlier this month.
A subcontractor for a cellular company was working in a GMC Terrain at the intersection of Weeks Avenue and Sylvan Court at around 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 when John Murphy, 40, allegedly approached.
Police said that Murphy identified himself as a law enforcement officer and questioned what the technician, a Black man, was doing in the area, but then refused to look at his work credentials.
The detective is accused of then kicking the subcontractor’s SUV, which caused damage, ripping off the light on the top of the vehicle and chucking it at the worker while using a racial slur.
“The defendant is a sworn law enforcement officer, responsible for protecting the rights of citizens, rather than violating them, as is alleged here,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said. “I thank the Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crimes Unit for taking this crime seriously and following the evidence no matter where it led. Such conduct will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”
Police arrested Murphy, of Manorville, just before 6 a.m. Wednesday and charged him with two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime and second-degree aggravated harassment.
Murphy was arraigned in Central Islip later in the day and pleaded not guilty. Court records show that he was released on his own recognizance, but a temporary order of protection was issued against him.
He is next expected in court on Dec. 3.