A Rockville Centre police detective accused of using a racial slur while allegedly attacking a cellphone company employee near his Manorville home in November was charged with hate-related crimes in an indictment unsealed on Tuesday.

Suffolk prosecutors said Det. John Murphy told the cellphone company employee, who is Black, "We don’t want you or your like in the neighborhood," and used a racial slur during the confrontation.

Murphy, who is white, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime, fourth-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime and second-degree harassment. State Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins in Suffolk released Murphy on his own recognizance during a hearing on Tuesday in Riverhead. Murphy is scheduled to return to court on July 23.

Murphy had been suspended with pay, a Rockville Centre police spokeswoman said, which is protocol when an officer is accused of violating the law.
"We do not comment on personnel issues or ongoing legal proceedings," Rockville Centre Police Commissioner Randy Dodd said. "We are committed to upholding the integrity of our department and the trust of the community we serve. We will continue to fully cooperate with the appropriate authorities as the legal process moves forward."

William Petrillo, Murphy’s attorney, told Newsday his client is a former U.S. Marine who served three combat tours and "is a loved and respected member of law enforcement."

"Racial prejudice is despicable and had no part in this incident," Petrillo said. "That night the complainant gave three recorded, detailed narratives and never said a word about any racial slur."

The victim was inspecting cellphone towers in the Manorville area on Nov. 3 to ensure the networks were working properly, Suffolk prosecutors said.

He parked his cellphone company vehicle, which had a blinking amber light on the roof, and was completing paperwork when Murphy approached his car.

When Murphy questioned the employee about his presence on the block, the employee tried to show his identification. Murphy yelled at the man, put his arm through the vehicle’s window, opened the door, and grabbed the victim’s laptop, officials said. The employee grabbed the laptop back, prosecutors said.

The detective then slammed the vehicle door and told the employee to "get out of here, we don’t want you or your like in the neighborhood," prosecutors said. Murphy ripped the amber light from the roof of the car and threw it at the employee’s vehicle, smashing the light into pieces. He also kicked the driver-side door of the vehicle, causing damage, prosecutors said. The employee left the scene and called 911, prosecutors said.

"The victim in this case was just doing his job, working to improve cellphone service for Suffolk County residents, when the defendant allegedly attacked him and damaged his vehicle," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said. “Even more troubling is that the defendant is a sworn police officer, responsible for protecting the rights of all citizens. The conduct alleged in this indictment will not be tolerated, regardless of what position a defendant holds."