A veteran NYPD detective, Paul D’Amico, found himself in hot water after being charged with sexual abuse for allegedly grabbing a female cop’s buttocks inside police headquarters. The incident took place on Feb. 5 at 1 Police Plaza, where D’Amico was accused of groping the female officer.
The complaint filed with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office detailed how the female officer felt a hand squeeze her right buttocks, only to turn around and see D’Amico as the sole individual behind her at that time. In a moment of shock, D’Amico reportedly apologized before swiftly running away from the scene.
D’Amico, a second-grade detective with a long-standing career in the NYPD since 1996, was promptly arrested and charged with forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree, both classified as misdemeanors. During his arraignment, a Manhattan criminal court judge ordered his release without bail but imposed an order of protection to prevent any contact with the victim.
The incident occurred within the premises of the NYPD’s headquarters, 1 Police Plaza, as outlined in the criminal complaint. D’Amico had been serving in the NYPD’s Criminal Justice Bureau at the time, responsible for chauffeuring Chief Ruben Beltran until the alleged inappropriate behavior took place. Subsequently, he was reassigned to the NYPD’s Medical Division in March.
Despite the legal repercussions, D’Amico had a lucrative income of nearly $206,000 in the previous year, according to city records. The Detectives’ Endowment Association refrained from providing any comments on the matter.
As the case unfolds, D’Amico’s future within the NYPD remains uncertain amidst the serious allegations of sexual misconduct. Authorities are diligently investigating the incident to ensure justice is served and appropriate actions are taken to address the misconduct within the police force.
