A Buffalo Police Department officer was arraigned Monday on misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree stalking and first-degree harassment, accused of harassing a former relationship partner to the point of causing reasonable fear of physical injury. Benjamin Coughlin, 44, of Lackawanna, was released without bail following the court appearance, and he remains suspended from the department while an internal investigation continues.
According to wivb.com, Coughlin is accused of harassing the victim in a manner that caused her to reasonably fear physical injury, and of causing harm to her mental and emotional health by initiating communication after being told to stop. The charges — both misdemeanors — were confirmed by btpm.org, which also reported that the arraignment happened Monday. A temporary order of protection has since been issued on behalf of the victim.
Released Without Bail, Pretrial Set for November
Coughlin was released on his own recognizance because the charges he faces are non-qualifying offenses for bail under New York law, the station's report notes. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for Nov. 4, and if convicted, Coughlin could face a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail, per the same account.
The Buffalo Police Department has suspended Coughlin while its Internal Affairs Division continues investigating the allegations, the outlet reported. The department has not said when that internal review might conclude.
Order of Protection Explained
Under New York law, an order of protection is issued by a court to limit the behavior of someone who harms or threatens to harm another person, and it can address a range of safety concerns including domestic violence, according to New York Courts. The temporary order issued in Coughlin's case falls under that framework, though the specific restrictions it contains have not been detailed in available court records.
Stalking and harassment are also tracked among New York's broader domestic-violence data categories, which include intimidation, coercion and violations of protective orders, according to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Case Adds to Scrutiny of Officer Conduct
Coughlin's arraignment follows other recent cases involving allegations against police officers in domestic settings. Buffalo Police Officer Shawn A. Young received a 30-day suspension connected to a July 2024 incident in which he was accused of dragging a woman, according to a report from The Buffalo News, which noted Young was later acquitted. In Chicago, Officer Joseph Vecchio was arrested and charged with felony aggravated domestic battery less than 24 hours after officials recommended he be fired, per a report from WTTW.
No final disposition has been reported in Coughlin's case, and the Buffalo Police Department's internal review remains ongoing. The pretrial conference set for Nov. 4 is expected to be the next scheduled step in the court proceedings.
