"We got too many guys that on occasion feel as if they have special privileges as police officers. Well, they don't. They don't."
Officer Kenneth Crockett, the K-9 cop accused of pocketing cash from the Lower Northeast bar where Officer Gary Skerski was slain in 2006, was charged with theft and receiving stolen property, Ramsey and District Attorney Seth Williams announced at a news conference yesterday.
Crockett, 56, was in the hospital yesterday after his family, concerned that he would harm himself, had him involuntarily committed for a mental-health evaluation, Williams said.
When the 26-year veteran is released from the hospital, he will be placed on a 30-day suspension with intent to dismiss, Ramsey said. It's unclear whether his dismissal will affect his city pension. The charges against him are both misdemeanors.
The bar theft occurred Tuesday morning after Crockett and two other officers responded to a burglary alarm at an auto-body shop behind Pat's Cafe, at Castor Avenue and Arrott Street.
The officers found no evidence of wrongdoing at the garage, but when they saw that a grate at the neighboring Pat's was unlocked, they went inside to ensure that burglars weren't hiding out in the bar, Ramsey said.
Once inside, the officers alerted the bar's owner and security company and helped themselves to soda and water. Moments before they left, the bar's video-Surveillance system caught Crockett taking money from the bar's unlocked safe.
Investigators later determined that $825 was missing; the cash has not been recovered.
Ramsey emphasized that the two officers with Crockett were unaware of his alleged actions and were "embarrassed" to be linked to the incident. Cleared of impropriety, they returned to street duty, Ramsey said.
