Rockville Center police detectives on Long Island charged with hate crime in Manorville

MANORVILE, Long Island (WABC) — A Long Island police officer is indicted and accused of harassing a man because of his race.

The incident occurred on November 3rd at around 7 p.m. at the corner of Sylvan Court and Weeks Avenue

According to police, a cell phone company subcontractor was working at a GMC lot when he was approached by a man who asked what he was doing.

This man posed as a police officer and refused to see the worker's identification.

Authorities say he then kicked the GMC, causing damage, ripped off a light on the vehicle's roof and threw it at the Black worker, using a racial slur.

John Murphy, 40, of Manorville, a detective with the Rockville Center Police Department, was later arrested and charged with criminal mischief including hate crimes and aggravated harassment.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney released the following statement:

“The victim here was trying to do his job when the accused allegedly harassed him and damaged his vehicle. To make matters worse, the defendant is a sworn law enforcement officer who is responsible for protecting the rights of citizens rather than violating them.” As alleged herein, I thank the Suffolk County Hate Crimes Unit for taking this crime seriously takes and follows the evidence, no matter where it leads. Such behavior will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.

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