NYPD Officer Caught Harassing Resident Over Parking Complaints Faces Consequences

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    NEW YORK – A New York City police officer was caught in the act of harassing a resident who had repeatedly reported illegal parking by police and emergency vehicles. Officer Brendan Sullivan, who had been with the NYPD since 2007, left a series of bizarre voicemails for Paul Vogel, a Brooklyn man frustrated by the constant obstruction caused by parked vehicles in his neighborhood.

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    Vogel, 52, had lodged hundreds of complaints through the city’s 311 hotline regarding illegal parking. In response, Sullivan retaliated by leaving strange voicemails over nearly ten months, which included animal noises like dolphin sounds, seal barks, and sheep bleats. These messages came to light after a city investigation focused on police retaliation against citizens who file complaints.

    On May 16, 2021, Sullivan used his department-issued phone to send a voicemail mimicking a dolphin, and a week later, he escalated to other animal sounds. His actions were uncovered during an investigation by the city’s Department of Investigation. According to a report by The New York Times, Sullivan faced significant consequences for his misconduct. He agreed to pay a $500 fine to the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board and forfeited 60 days of paid leave, valued at approximately $25,000.

    In a candid admission, Sullivan acknowledged leaving a voicemail pretending to be an ex-partner, underscoring the bizarre nature of his harassment. The Conflicts of Interest Board stated that Sullivan’s actions sought to discourage a citizen from exercising their rights.

    Vogel described the punishment as significant for what he referred to as “prank calls,” but he expressed discomfort knowing that a police officer engaged in such behavior. The incident has spotlighted the ongoing problem of illegally parked emergency vehicles in New York City, which has attracted federal scrutiny and warnings about legal action if improvements are not made.

    Despite his experience of harassment, Vogel remains undeterred, stating that he will continue to use the 311 system to report illegal parking violations.

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    18 Comments
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    Nachum
    Nachum
    1 month ago

    It is against the New York State Penal Code, to harass people on the telephone; hence, that nasty cop should have been prosecuted for telephone harassment.

    Chamas hemelech
    Chamas hemelech
    1 month ago

    New Yorks finest

    Worthless taxpayer
    Worthless taxpayer
    1 month ago

    The police are NOT our friends. Stop honoring and respecting them. They don’t deserve it. They are a bunch of coward bullies. When real crimes are being committed, they run the other way.

    Enough B…..
    Enough B…..
    1 month ago

    Amazing criminals run free to commit what ever crime they want and police officers get into trouble. Why should they stick their neck out. They get into trouble and criminals walk free. And then you have an idiot like worthless taxpayer should read worthless statements