A crew of NYPD cops were “disrespected” at a Big Apple hospital after being mistaken for federal ICE agents – and police brass is furious over it, The Post has learned.
The flap unfolded Friday night, when three plainclothes detectives showed up at NYU Langone/Cobble Hill hospital after a scuffle with a drug suspect – and things quickly got tense between the cops and hospital staff.
The three cops arrived at the hospital after the suspect scuffled and spat on them during a narcotics investigation by cops in Brooklyn North on Friday, the NYPD said Wednesday.
A crew of NYPD cops were “disrespected” at a Big Apple hospital after being mistaken for federal ICE agents – and police brass is furious over it, The Post has learned. Getty Images
When they arrived at the Cobble Hill emergency room, the detectives were told they could not go into the ER with their service weapons, so one of the cops agreed to hold the gun while his partner was treated, the department said.
However, hospital staff approached the second detective in the waiting room and told him he had to leave because he was armed — causing enough of a stir that the cop being treated intervened.
“And then at that point the two detectives heard members of the hospital staff say something to the effect of believing they were ICE and that they should care elsewhere,” the department said.
“[Hospital staff] were nasty to the officers in the waiting room, accused them of being ICE and suggested they go elsewhere,” one ticked off source familiar with the incident said.
“They properly identified themselves,” another source added. “Despicable to attempt to deny care or suggest they go elsewhere.”
Things quickly got tense between the cops and the hospital staff after three plainclothes detectives showed up at NYU Langone/Cobble Hill hospital after a scuffle with a drug suspect. Kyle Mazza/UNF NEWS
The NYPD Detectives Endowment Association fired back at the hospital in a statement on Wednesday.
“No individual – especially NYPD detectives injured in the line of duty – should ever be subjected to such treatment,” the statement said. “The DEA is actively investigating this matter and will pursue all available remedies to ensure our members are treated with the dignity, respect, and professionalism they have unequivocally earned.”
Sources said hospital officials later apologized to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
A spokesman for the hospital confirmed the two sides had talked.
Start your day with all you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
Thanks for signing up!
“In our discussion with the Commissioner, we expressed our regret for how the situation was handled and reaffirmed our commitment to continue providing the highest quality care to the New York Police Department and all law enforcement agencies,” the spokesman said in a statement. “In 2025, NYU Langone was proud to provide care to nearly 1,000 NYPD officers across all our Emergency Departments.”
The hospital did not comment on or confirm the alleged reference to ICE.
An NYPD spokesperson said the department was unhappy with how the cops were treated and would review the incident.
“The members of the NYPD put their lives on the line to protect this city, and the very least they deserve in return is attentive medical care and to be treated with respect,” the spokesperson said.
“Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch is in direct contact with NYU Langone on this matter.”
Additional reporting by Tina Moore