Instructed To Downgrade Report, Now In Trouble

[coots]

NY POST

Bronx Cop Undervalued iPad in Theft Report, NYPD Trial Shows

A Bronx cop allegedly fudged crime stats by undervaluing a stolen iPad – effectively downgrading a felony case into a misdemeanor.

Police Officer Damian McIntosh, assigned to the 52nd Precinct in Bedford Park, underpriced the stolen electronic tablet, it was revealed today during an NYPD departmental trial held at police headquarters.

The theft of the iPad -- reported by McIntosh on behalf of a victim on July 23, 2010 -- and several other items should have tallied more than $1,000, making it a felony, officials claim.

Instead, McIntosh allegedly knocked down the number, placing it in misdemeanor territory.

The officer’s attorney, Eric Sanders, argued that his client merely estimated the value of the item – as he was instructed to do by supervisors - and should not be charged with a crime.

McIntosh is also accused of using a prisoner’s body to push open swinging double-doors in the 62nd Precinct in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, in a 2009 incident.



Damned if you do, damned if you dont

[ncpdretired]

Make the value undermined, to be appraised by Detectives after interview with complainant. I did that a couple of times many years ago when I had a hard ass complainant.

[fiveo]

I had an instance in the city where I was 'instructed' to make a robbery a grand larceny. I was on my way off the job and onto this job and I told my Sgt that I did not feel comfortable with it and he, being a stand up guy, did the report himself because he respected my situation. God forbid the crime stats go up.

[redstone14]

If a complainant couldn't give me a value it was reported as unknown. A year ago I didn't even know what an IPad was, let alone put a value on one. Cops don't run pawn shops.

Classifying crimes should be done by supervisors when they read the elements of the crime in the narrative. Complainants should be the ones who place a $ amount on the property.