A 26-year veteran police sergeant was arrested Friday
morning by the New York Police Department on charges accusing him of committing
computer crimes dangerous to minors, city police said.
Sgt. Patrick Rosney, 53, was arrested Friday morning when he
arrived for work at police headquarters. He was handcuffed while in uniform. It
was a sting operation involving a New York City police officer posing as a
14-year-old girl, according to several people briefed on the arrest.
Rosney was allowed to change into civilian clothes before he
was driven to Queens to be arraigned for first-degree attempted dissemination
of indecent material to minors, a felony and attempted endangering the welfare
of a child, a misdemeanor.
Rosney was suspended without pay for 30 days when he was
arrested. Rosney’s fellow officers were shocked and angered by his alleged
actions, Tedesco said.
“We are a strong department. We are a department of
character. We expect a rough road,” Tedesco said.
“To see a police officer in handcuffs is very disturbing and
hurtful,” said Officer Robert Fitzgerald, president of the Troy Police
Benevolent Association. Mayor Lou Rosamilia said the city would cooperate with
the NYPD investigation. “The allegations in this case are deplorable,” the
mayor said. “This is a deeply disturbing incident, and certainly not reflective
of the overall character and quality of our police department.”