Alleged Misconduct Shakes NYPD as Detective Accused of Sexual Abuse, Officers Charged in Queens Incident

Two disturbing incidents of alleged misconduct have emerged from within the ranks of the New York City Police Department. Detective Paul Damico is accused of sexually abusing a woman at police headquarters, while two other officers were charged with robbing and allegedly groping a sex worker in Queens, as reported by the New York Daily News.

Det. Damico, 51, allegedly ran up and groped the woman's right buttocks at 1 Police Plaza on the morning of Feb. 5. After being arrested yesterday, Damico is now facing charges of forcible touching and sex abuse in the third degree, both misdemeanors. The court has since ordered his release without bail and issued an order of protection for the victim to prevent further contact. In an additional note regarding the case, the detective was a former driver for the head of the Criminal Justice Bureau and had been with the NYPD since 1996.

In a separate incident stemming from activity in a Queens brothel, Officers Justin McMillan and Justin Colon are accused of burglary and forcible touching. According to the Queens District Attorney's Office, the pair responded to a call about prostitution and later returned to the brothel off-duty, still in uniform, to commit the alleged crimes. During the July incident, McMillan is said to have stolen money and groped a sex worker.

The officers, in response, have pleaded not guilty to the charges and, according to their attorneys, plan to rigorously fight the allegations. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch conveyed the gravity of such betrayals of public trust, stating, "When that trust is broken, as it was in this case, the entire police department must answer for it," adding that any officer who violates their oath will be held accountable. Meanwhile, the accused officers have been suspended without pay pending the results of their court appearances scheduled for late April, detailed by CBS News New York.