Two NYPD officers are accused of covering up a drunk-driving crash involving one of their own.
What You Need To Know
Two NYPD officers are accused of covering up a drunk-driving crash involving another officer
According to the NYPD, it initiated the investigation and referred the case to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
Both men pleaded not guilty, according to officials
“What you saw today is another overreach by Alvin Bragg,” Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said, referring to the Manhattan district attorney.
Hendry spoke alongside officers who gathered outside the courtroom to show support for the defendants.
“[We’ve] got your back. Everybody behinds us. We got your back,” Hendry said.
Prosecutors say the case began with a 911 call reporting a crash involving a possibly intoxicated driver near West 26th Street and Eighth Avenue in October 2024.
Officers Michael Caligiuiri and Ryan McLoughlin responded to the call. The driver, later identified as off-duty officer Eli Garcia, allegedly showed a police badge, according to officials.
Court records allege one officer positioned his body camera away from the driver as the two officers communicated via personal texts.
Records also show Garcia eventually drove off and was found intoxicated hours later. He ultimately pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and resigned from the NYPD.
“These are two hard-working New York City police officers, and their reputations are being tarnished by this DA’s office,” Hendry said.
The NYPD says it initiated the investigation and referred the case to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Both defendants are suspended without pay. But Hendry says the courts have already administered justice.
“This case was resolved a year ago and the person [who] was involved was arrested, was prosecuted,” Hendry said.
Prosecutors disagreed, saying the case is about accountability when officers are accused of protecting one another instead of enforcing the law. Both men pleaded not guilty, according to officials.