3 NYPD Officers Arrested For Drunken Driving Amid Christmas Celebrations

Holiday festivities within the NYPD have been overshadowed by the arrests of three off-duty officers for driving while intoxicated this month. The incidents coincide with precinct and bureau Christmas parties, which often feature celebratory drinking.

On Dec. 14, Staten Island officer Jose Dejesus Jr., 27, crashed his car in Emerson Hill around 7 a.m. Police responded to the single-vehicle accident on Roosevelt Street, arresting Dejesus on charges of driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, and refusing a sobriety test.

Just a day earlier, Bronx officer Sheikh Aktaruzzaman, 28, was found asleep in his car at White Plains Road and Wood Avenue. His vehicle had been stopped in the middle of the street. Aktaruzzaman was charged with DWI and related offenses within the 43rd Precinct.

The first incident occurred on Dec. 6 when Queens officer Donald Johnson, 32, was arrested in the 108th Precinct after a tip from a concerned citizen. Johnson, like the others, faces DWI charges.

A police source acknowledged the timing of the incidents, saying, “It’s the holiday season,” but no direct connection has been confirmed between the arrests and NYPD holiday events. The department has seen an increase in officer overtime due to reduced staffing levels, which some argue may add stress during the festive season.

The arrests highlight the risks of impaired driving and the importance of accountability within law enforcement, especially during periods of celebration. Critics say such incidents undermine public trust in the force.

As the NYPD continues to manage heavy workloads and seasonal festivities, these arrests serve as a reminder of the consequences of reckless behavior and the need for discipline within the department.