Three off-duty NYPD officers were arrested for driving while intoxicated this December, raising concerns about accountability during the department’s annual Christmas celebrations. These arrests coincide with precinct and bureau holiday parties, where alcohol is often a central feature.
The most recent incident involved Jose Dejesus Jr., 27, who was arrested on Dec. 14 in Staten Island’s Emerson Hill neighborhood. Dejesus crashed his vehicle on Roosevelt Street around 7 a.m. and was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, and refusing a sobriety test.
On Dec. 13, Bronx officer Sheikh Aktaruzzaman, 28, was arrested after police found him asleep in his car. His vehicle was stopped in the middle of the street at White Plains Road and Wood Avenue in the 43rd Precinct. He also faced charges of driving while intoxicated and related offenses.
Queens officer Donald Johnson, 32, was arrested earlier on Dec. 6 after a citizen reported his erratic behavior. Police stopped Johnson in the 108th Precinct, which covers areas such as Sunnyside and Woodside, and charged him with DWI.
A police source described these incidents as part of the “holiday season,” when department parties are in full swing. However, it remains unclear whether the officers involved were returning from holiday gatherings.
These arrests come at a time when the NYPD is managing significant overtime demands due to reduced staffing levels. Critics argue the pressures of the job, combined with the holiday environment, highlight the need for stricter policies to address misconduct.
