Suffolk County police officer charged with menacing in off-duty incident in Patchogue
HAUPPAUGE, Long Island (WABC) -- A Suffolk County police officer has been arrested and charged with menacing for an off-duty incident earlier this month.
According to Suffolk County police, 32-year-old Gregory Hanrahan became involved in an interaction with three females during which he pointed a handgun in their direction on West Main Street in Patchogue on November 5 at 1:44 a.m.
Prosecutors say he "made rude remarks" to the women before pulling a gun from his waistband and waving it in the air. The women "feared for their lives," according to prosecutors, and they flagged down a local public safety officer who called 911.
Hanrahan, a two-year member of the department assigned to the Seventh Precinct, was immediately suspended without pay, and his handguns were seized.
Hanrahan was charged with three counts of second-degree menacing. He pleaded not guilty and is being held in lieu of $4,500 bail.
In addition to the criminal charges, a department internal investigation is underway.
"These allegations are extremely disturbing and will never be tolerated," Assistant Police Commissioner Justin Meyers said. "This type of misconduct is taken very seriously and was vigorously investigated by the Suffolk County Police Department. In addition to the criminal charges filed today, the officer has been suspended without pay and the SCPD will continue to take all appropriate actions."
The officer is married and has a 2-year-old daughter. The judge issued an order of protection for each of the three women, over the objections of the defense.
"You are to have nothing to do with these people," the judge told the officer.
Hanrahan and his wife said nothing as they left the courthouse.
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