thedrifter
06-25-07, 09:54 AM
COPS IN CRASH PROBE
By MURRAY WEISS Criminal Justice Editor
June 25, 2007 -- Two detectives in the elite Emergency Services Unit have been suspended for failing to report that they crashed an NYPD truck following an exhausting Fleet Week shift that included a tug-of-war contest against the Navy and Marines while on duty, police sources said.
The two detectives, James Murphy, 39, and Christopher Kozlowski, 35, were heading along Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, in their truck at about 11 p.m. May 26 when the driver dozed off and lost control of the wheel.
The truck jumped a curb and hit a fence, causing the vehicle to sustain minor damage.
The pair drove away from the scene and later told the NYPD that they planned on reporting it the next morning.
But a passer-by saw the accident, wrote down the plate number and called 911.
Hours later, NYPD Internal Affairs investigators tracked down the vehicle, Kozlowski, a 10-year veteran, and Murphy, who has 15 years on the force.
The two burly cops - each ESU “poster boys” standing about 6-feet-5 and weighing 300 pounds - explained they’d been on duty in the hot sun all day and were worn out, partly because they had competed in the annual tug-of-war at the South Street Seaport against sailors and Marines during Fleet Week celebrations.
The competition had sailors from different ships and Marines vying for a coveted final spot against the NYPD team, which triumphed.
The day’s events are designed to bond the NYPD with their military brethren.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly was said to be stunned to learn that cops for years had been allowed to participate in rigorous athletic Fleet Week festivities while on duty, and is said to be weighing making them participate only on their own time, sources said.
Internal Affairs cops also immediately rounded up every other officer who had participated in the day’s activities, and has thus far found no evidence alcohol played a role in the mishap.
Both Kozlowski and Murphy have at least six years in the ESU and have received several awards for bravery.
James Moschella, lawyer for the detectives, said the accident was “nothing more than a routine occurrence” for the heavily motorized NYPD and the cops planned to report it the following morning.
“They look forward to getting back to work protecting the city and saving lives, which is what they do on a daily basis,” he said.
murray.weiss@nypost.com
Ellie
By MURRAY WEISS Criminal Justice Editor
June 25, 2007 -- Two detectives in the elite Emergency Services Unit have been suspended for failing to report that they crashed an NYPD truck following an exhausting Fleet Week shift that included a tug-of-war contest against the Navy and Marines while on duty, police sources said.
The two detectives, James Murphy, 39, and Christopher Kozlowski, 35, were heading along Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, in their truck at about 11 p.m. May 26 when the driver dozed off and lost control of the wheel.
The truck jumped a curb and hit a fence, causing the vehicle to sustain minor damage.
The pair drove away from the scene and later told the NYPD that they planned on reporting it the next morning.
But a passer-by saw the accident, wrote down the plate number and called 911.
Hours later, NYPD Internal Affairs investigators tracked down the vehicle, Kozlowski, a 10-year veteran, and Murphy, who has 15 years on the force.
The two burly cops - each ESU “poster boys” standing about 6-feet-5 and weighing 300 pounds - explained they’d been on duty in the hot sun all day and were worn out, partly because they had competed in the annual tug-of-war at the South Street Seaport against sailors and Marines during Fleet Week celebrations.
The competition had sailors from different ships and Marines vying for a coveted final spot against the NYPD team, which triumphed.
The day’s events are designed to bond the NYPD with their military brethren.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly was said to be stunned to learn that cops for years had been allowed to participate in rigorous athletic Fleet Week festivities while on duty, and is said to be weighing making them participate only on their own time, sources said.
Internal Affairs cops also immediately rounded up every other officer who had participated in the day’s activities, and has thus far found no evidence alcohol played a role in the mishap.
Both Kozlowski and Murphy have at least six years in the ESU and have received several awards for bravery.
James Moschella, lawyer for the detectives, said the accident was “nothing more than a routine occurrence” for the heavily motorized NYPD and the cops planned to report it the following morning.
“They look forward to getting back to work protecting the city and saving lives, which is what they do on a daily basis,” he said.
murray.weiss@nypost.com
Ellie