Long Island cop arrested in hate crime against Black cell phone technician

A Long Island police detective has been charged with a hate crime for damaging a Black cell phone technician’s SUV and hurling a racial slur at him, officials said.
Rockville Center Det. John Murphy, 40, confronted the phone company subcontractor in Manorville about 7 p.m. Nov. 3, demanding to know what 48-year-old worker, identified as Derick Kwadwo, was doing in the area, according to prosecutors. Murphy, 40, was off duty at the time and lives in Manorville.
 
The detective refused to look at the Kwadwo’s credentials, then allegedly kicked the worker’s GMC Terrain, ripped a light off the vehicle and threw it at the worker, authorities said.
 
“The victim here was just trying to do his job, when the defendant allegedly harassed him and damaged his vehicle,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
“To make matters worse, the defendant is a sworn law enforcement officer, responsible for protecting the rights of citizens, rather than violating them, as is alleged here. Such conduct will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”
The Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crimes Unit arrested Murphy just before 6 a.m. Wednesday, Tierney said.
He was charged with two counts of criminal mischief as a hate crime and aggravated harassment.
Anthony DiFiore represents the Defendant. A stay away OP was granted on behalf of the victim. A record was made that this is a non-qualifying offense. Supervised release was requested. Judge Cheng released the Defendant on his own recognizance. The next court date is 12/03/2024.