Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2008
Source: Newsday (NY)
Copyright: 2008 Newsday Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newsday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/308
Author: Rocco Parascandola
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?246 (Policing - United States)

TROUBLED NYPD UNIT HAD A HISTORY, SOURCES SAY

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly ordered a high-level shake-up in 
Brooklyn South Narcotics after four cops were arrested in two 
embarrassing incidents, but police sources said there has been 
dissatisfaction with the unit as far back as 2003.

That's when 24 detectives and six sergeants were demoted to patrol 
duty after Internal Affairs investigators uncovered an overtime scam 
in which the cops were caught putting in for hours they didn't work. 
E-ZPass records showed the accused passing through toll booths when 
they were supposed to be working, police officials said.

More recently, however, the accusations grew more serious - cops 
stealing drugs and money - and on Monday, Kelly transferred the 
citywide narcotics commander, Deputy Chief James O'Neill, and the 
Brooklyn South Narcotics boss, Insp. James O'Connell, as well as two 
narcotics captains. Deputy Chief Joseph Reznick, who has a reputation 
as a hard-charging commander with a hands-on approach, will replace O'Neill.

The shake-up, sources said, is not an indication that the supervisors 
knew about the alleged wrongdoing and looked the other way, but 
rather a message that they should have known.

"The transfers speak for themselves," said the New York Police 
Department's top spokesman, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne.

Investigators, meanwhile, will pore over about 130 cases to see if 
there is any evidence that cops from that unit stole money or drugs 
seized from dealers.

Police say two officers, a sergeant and a detective have been 
arrested and suspended for their role in two cases. In the first 
case, Det. Sean Johnstone was caught on his own wire, police said, 
bragging about how he had seized 28 bags of cocaine during a Sept. 13 
buy-and-bust, but had turned in only 17 bags. They said Johnstone 
also implicated his partner, Officer Julio Alvarez.

Johnston and Alvarez, each seven-year veterans, were charged in 
December with official misconduct and falsifying business records.

More important, the arrests sparked a larger probe and led to the 
arrests last week of Sgt. Michael Arenella and Officer Jerry Bowens. 
Arenella, an eight-year veteran, and Bowens, a 12-year veteran, 
allegedly took $250 and 40 bags of cocaine from an undercover officer 
posing as a drug dealer.

The suspects were slapped with drug and official misconduct charges, 
and Bowens is likely to face additional departmental charges for 
having a sexual relationship with an informant, sources said.

In addition, 15 other cops have been put on desk duty and have been 
replaced with officers from other units. 
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