More cop trouble for Schenectady force

More cop trouble for Schenectady force
Schenectady police officer allegedly was drunk and left scene of Colonie crash
The Albany Times Union by JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST - March 3, 2009

COLONIE, NY-- A Schenectady police officer surrendered his drivers license Monday night in Colonie Town Court after his arraignment on charges of driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a crash from an accident Sunday night. Officer Michael R. Brown, 27, of Pattersonville, and his attorney refused to answer questions from the hordes of media that surrounded them as they waited in the hallway outside of Colonie Town Court. Brown pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and was released. He's due in court March 23. Brown was in court to answer to charges that just before 10:30 p.m. Sunday his 2005 Toyota pickup hit a car stopped at the intersection of Route 9 and Osborne Road, said Detective Lt. John Van Alstyne.

The impact sent the car Brown struck into another vehicle, then Brown allegedly drove off east down Route 378 toward Menands, Van Alstyne said. Brown sustained a head injury and a passenger in the car he allegedly struck was also injured but not seriously. Responding officers found Brown's vehicle stopped about two-tenths of a mile down the road, but Van Alstyne said it's not clear whether he intended to pull over or whether he was stopped by the extensive damage to his truck. Brown refused a breath alcohol test. Brown, who has been suspended 30 days without pay, is the latest Schenectady cop to face charges in the last decade. Seven Schenectady cops, including former Police Chief Gregory T. Kaczmarek, have gone to prison. Another two face pending criminal charges. Schenectady Public Safety Commissioner Wayne E. Bennett issued this statement. "The majority of the Schenectady Police Officers conduct themselves in compliance with all laws as well as department rules and regulations. Regrettably, a few officers continue to refuse to abide by these mandates. In such cases, ... I will utilize my authority as disciplinary officer to assess penalties, including termination where appropriate, to put an end to this behavior ... The case of Patrolman Michael R. Brown will be handled consistent with this policy." Staff writer Christen Gowan contributed to this report. Jordan Carleo-Evangelist can be reached at 454-5445 or jcarleo-evangelist@timesunion.com.