An off-duty New York City police officer was arrested for drunk driving on Tuesday, and responding officers found her surrounded by a large amount of alcohol and with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit. Officials announced.
According to a criminal complaint, police say that at 8:46 p.m. in East Harlem, NYPD housing officer Jennifer Melendez, 36, left her car’s front tires on the sidewalk, the engine running and the headlights on. I noticed that I was sitting in the passenger seat.
The officer, who was drunk and had slurred speech, reportedly told the officer, “I pulled over the car.”
Prosecutors say Melendez had an alarming blood-alcohol level of .248 when officers found him in the vehicle at Second Avenue and East 120th Street.
A half-empty tequila bottle was found on the floor near her, and an overturned beer can and vodka bottle were also found in the back seat, court documents said.
According to public records, Melendez was assigned to nearby Police Area 6, which covers residential areas in Harlem.
She was arraigned Wednesday in Manhattan Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence and aggravated driving while intoxicated.
Melendez has since been suspended without pay, according to the NYPD.
Her next court date is set for June 5th.
