NYPD Cop On Trial For Undervaluing Stolen iPad, Fudging Crime Stats

Mayor Bloomberg showed off his iPad in 2010 (NYC Mayor's Office)

Apparently cops can't use Google when filling out reports about stolen items! Because a Bronx police officer is accused by the NYPD of arbitrarily assigning incorrect values to a stolen iPad, as well as other items, and the total was less than $1,000, making "what should have been a felony case into a misdemeanor," according to the Daily News.

Officer Damian McIntosh has a NYPD hearing today about the matter, and his lawyer says supervisors tell officers to just estimate. Eric Sanders said, "That’s an area of expertise. “That’s not something a police officer is trained to do, yet they want them to make those value estimates. So how can they charge him?" Even though the NYPD is following your Facebook and Twitter, it doesn't seem like they are going on the World Wide Web to see what an iPad costs.

The NYPD has been accused of underreporting crimes—like rape—to make their stats look good. The NY Post reports, "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."

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By Jen Chung in News on November 29, 2011 3:37 PM

Comments [rss]

Nos Feratu

Refusing to accept reports for "petty" crimes or downgrading crimes is not something that takes place only in the city. This kind of thing is prevalent in Jersey as well. First, the cops just don't want to do anything that looks like work. Second, this is the best technique the police have for "reducing" crime.....no complaints accepted, no crimes committed. "The crime rate has gone down. See what a good job we're doing! Now give us a raise and more benefits."

Eric Sanders

The first part of the McIntosh (Jamaican Male) case started in the 62nd
Precinct, where he was subjected to a racially charged workplace where
he and other officers of color were peppered with a few choice racial
epithets. These officers made a number of allegations related to police
misconduct involving Caucasian officers upon people of color in
particular Mexicans. The court is open to the public, if you are in the
area, feel free to come and watch this case unfold.

http://www.thesandersfirmpc.co...

Guest

Why is the cop in trouble? Isn't the devaluing of stolen property a command from higher up?

kenorasis

How was McIntosh (no relation) supposed to know what an iPad's worth? And how was he supposed to know those doors were locked?

Mr Mel

What's the problem here? Just about every iPad sold is less than $1000. There may have been other items, but that is not what the headline indicates. The street value of a stolen iPad is probably around $100.

taracorinne

the value of goods is not based on the street level price when charging for crimes. the value of such goods is based on the retail price.

sometimes cops can be nice and charge the on-sale price instead of the full MSRP of the goods to tally up the total of the shoplifting charge but it still is not what "street value" is (at least from my experience).

Mr Mel

I didn't mention the street price on the iPad to weaken the Cop's case. I did it to show what it's worth. We know a Police Report can make or break a case, that doesn't mean that justice was done, only that it can be manipulated.

"Tim Osman"

Great photo selection - well done Gothamist!

JeremiahToo

Standard Operating Procedure re the crime downgrading. Compstat comes first after all...

But is that our real ruler or a Stepford Mayor? Creepy....

9illy

Teehee. McIntosh mis-appraises ipads.

Spirit of 76

Especially since McIntosh was the original spelling chosen for the computer before its release, changed to Macintosh only because McIntosh, the manufacturer of hi-fi amps, objected.