NYPD: 'Known Gang Member' Accused Of Throwing Water At Officers Arrested
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York's finest were drenched and disrespected on the job.
The incidents caught on camera against the officers sparked widespread outrage.
The NYPD has vowed that they will find the people they say disrepected the badge.
The video has been seen worldwide: NYPD officers getting drenched with water and disrespected while on the job in Harlem as they were trying to make an arrest.
On Wednesday, the NYPD said a "known gang member" has been arrested.
Officers were doused with water while making an arrest at Seventh Avenue and 116th Street during Sunday's heat wave in Harlem. One was even hit in the head with a bucket.
Police are still looking for three men they say were involved. They've arrested another man, 23-year-old Isiah Scott, for dumping water on a woman before police got there.
It was a similar scene in Brooklyn when officers responded to a disturbance call.
Police say 28-year-old man, identified as Courtney Thompson, was arrested in the Brooklyn incident. Police said he's a known gang member and was on probation for another crime.
He turned himself in to police Wednesday morning and was charged with obstruction of governmental administration, criminal nuisance, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Web Extra: Public Advocate, Police Organizations Speak Out After Officers Soaked
NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan appeared on the Joe Piscopo radio show Wednesday morning to discuss the arrests.
"That people can throw things at a cop while he's making a lawful arrest, that just can't happen in the city. And that's why our cops respond. And we make these arrests. If we can't make it that day, we will go after you and we will get you to make sure you come to justice," he said.
On Tuesday, Monahan criticized his officers for walking away. Wednesday, Commissioner James O'Neill voiced support for them in tweet.
"Still, professional & composed, they carry out their vital work. As a city & PD, we'll never accept such disrespect," O'Neill wrote.
Those sentiments were echoed at a news conference held by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and other officials.
Web Extra: Public Advocate, Police Organizations Speak Out After Officers Soaked
"There was a tremendous amount of restraint that was shown just on a human level," he said Wednesday. "The things I saw there shouldn't happen to human beings in general."
"Being a 41-year-old veteran, I could not imagine what those officer went through. Now they still have to go back into those same communities," said retired chief Gerald Nelson.
When they get back on their beat, the NYPD has instructed them - and all officers - to make an arrest if they're ever disrespected.
