18 November 2023 , 22:41
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An NYPD cop has been suspended after a video showed he failed to help a higher ranking officer as he was being beaten up on the subway. It has been described as an "act of cowardice."
The officer, Manual Morales, was an officer for almost 20 years before he was put on desk duty then suspended following the incident. In a 68 second video that has been shared to social media, Morales can be seen standing by and watching as Lieutenant Gypsy Pichardo was beaten by two men.
The incident happened on November 11 at the 238th Street No 1 train station, police sources have said. The two were in the area following reports of a knife fight at around 9pm. The two ordered the two men off the train and that is when the lieutenant was allegedly attacked.
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Pichardo's eye was left bruised in the alleged attack (ABC7)
Pichardo was left with injuries (ABC7)Morales was on a salary of $144,986 last year, the NYPost reports. Records show he was suspended two days after the incident. An NYPD spokesperson said: “The officer is currently modified pending an ongoing internal affairs investigation. The lieutenant is recovering at home from his injuries.”
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One veteran police officer who viewed the footage described it as an "act of cowardice". They added: "He shouldn't be on the job if he's not going to help other officers." Another officer called it "embarrassing". They said: "Apparently, he didn’t even call for help. He claims he did but there were no radio transmissions. He didn’t have his body camera on.”
It is said Morales was seen on the doors of the subway train (ABC7)However, one officer said City Council rules that affect how officers make arrests as well as the Civilian Complaint Review Board may have influenced Morales not to get involved. Though they added this does not excuse his inaction. They said: “Nobody wants to put their hands on anyone anymore.”
Records show Morales has been the subject of four complaints and 11 allegations since he joined the NYPD in 2004. Five of those complaints were withdrawn, four were unfounded and one was unsubstantiated, according to the records.
A video captured the attack (ABC7)
Marquise Webb was one of the men arrested for the alleged assault (ABC7)Two people were arrested for the alleged beating of Pichardo. Both Marquise Webb and Brian Innocent, both 24, were charged with assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. They were both held on $40,000 cash bail or $120,000 bond. They have been jailed on Rikers Island.