D.A. booster claims cop abuse in towing fracas

After regaining control of their van, the Malkowskis said that when they tried to file a complaint against Emmett, they were asked to jump through hoops by officers at the 6th District headquarters, at 11th and Winter streets, then at Police Headquarters, 8th and Race.

They returned to the 6th and finally met with Korn, who told them that they could fill out paperwork and attend hearings regarding the assault allegations, or that Korn could handle the incident in-house, by relegating Emmett to a particular beat or squad, they said.

The younger Malkowski claims that sometime during the meeting, Emmett approached him in a threatening manner and said: " 'I hit you? I hit you hard?' "

Malkowski said that he told the captain that all he wanted was an apology, but was told that apologies are against department policy.

"It's not the practice we allow officers to apologize instead of taking formal action," Korn later told the Daily News.

Korn declined to comment on the conversation he had with the Malkowskis. He said that he had given the Malkowskis the complaint form and instructed them how to file it, but the Malkowskis said that they left his office empty-handed.

The younger Malkowski, who said that he's worked with the Fraternal Order of Police and the department's Explorer Cadet program, said that the alleged punch from an officer affected him more inside than it ever could have outside.

"When they have beef and beer benefits, I'm the first one there, I'm selling the shirts," he said. "To a guy that stands up for them, it hurt, it hurt deep inside."