The Journal News by Rebecca Baker - February 2, 2011
YONKERS, NY — A city police officer is accused of assaulting two people in a bar while on duty last year, then falsely arresting one of them to cover up his actions. Officer Raul Ramirez, 31, surrendered Tuesday to the Yonkers Internal Affairs division, which investigated the case. He had been on modified duty for weeks. He was arraigned in Westchester County Court and pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include felony counts of assault, filing a false instrument and falsifying business records. He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of writing a false statement and official misconduct. Ramirez's gun and badge were taken away after he surrendered. He was released without bail. "We recognize that these are serious charges," said his attorney, Andrew Quinn. "We are not aware of the specific details of the allegations. Until we are, I can't comment further." Ramirez was assigned to the Third Precinct and was working the midnight shift on April 12 when he got a call from his brother at 3:48 a.m. asking him to come to Las Palmas Bar at 59 Yonkers Ave., authorities said. He was not sent there by a police dispatcher.
After arriving, Ramirez allegedly attacked two people in the bar and filed criminal charges against one of them, according to the county District Attorney's Office. Police learned of the incident after a complaint was filed with the District Attorney's Office. Detective Sgt. Patrick McCormack said once the department was notified, it immediately launched an investigation. "We police ourselves on this one," he said. Police Commissioner Edmund Hartnett said the charges against Ramirez were "troubling." "This was a single act by this guy who thought he was going to settle a score for his brother," Hartnett said. "It is really aberrant behavior." Ramirez was in a marked cruiser with a partner that night, Hartnett said. His partner, whose name was not released, is the subject of an Internal Affairs probe. Other officers eventually arrived at the bar, but there is no indication any were involved in any misconduct, Harnett said. Ramirez was suspended for 60 days, the maximum allowed under the police contract. He was hired by Yonkers on Jan. 3, 2008, after serving less than six months with the New York City Police Department. His annual salary is $78,257. He faces up to seven years in prison on the assault charges and possible termination from the department. A pre-trial hearing is set for Feb. 16. "Officer Ramirez betrayed the trust of the citizens of Yonkers and the Yonkers Police Department by putting himself and his own interests above the law," District Attorney Janet DiFiore said in a statement. "Abuse of the public trust is a serious breach, and my office will continue to prosecute and convict any public servant who uses their position for personal gain." Mayor Phil Amicone praised DiFiore's office and the Internal Affairs Unit for their work on the case. "The people of Yonkers should be reassured that if these types of abuses do occur, as in this case, we will find those responsible and hold them accountable," he said in a statement. Ramirez was suspended for 60 days, the maximum allowed under the police contract. He was hired by Yonkers on Jan. 3, 2008, after serving less than six months with the New York City Police Department. His annual salary is $78,257. He faces up to seven years in prison on the assault charges and possible termination from the department. A pre-trial hearing is set for Feb. 16. "Officer Ramirez betrayed the trust of the citizens of Yonkers and the Yonkers Police Department by putting himself and his own interests above the law," District Attorney Janet DiFiore said in a statement. "Abuse of the public trust is a serious breach, and my office will continue to prosecute and convict any public servant who uses their position for personal gain." Mayor Phil Amicone praised DiFiore's office and the Internal Affairs Unit for their work on the case. "The people of Yonkers should be reassured that if these types of abuses do occur, as in this case, we will find those responsible and hold them accountable," he said in a statement. Staff writer Will David contributed to this report.
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