A crew of NYPD cops were “disrespected” at a Big Apple hospital after being mistaken for federal ICE agents – and police brass is furious over it, The Post has learned.
The flap unfolded Friday night, when three plainclothes detectives showed up at NYU Langone/Cobble Hill hospital after a scuffle with a drug suspect – and things quickly got tense between the cops and hospital staff, according to sources.
“[Hospital staff] were nasty to the officers in the waiting room, accused them of being ICE and suggested they go elsewhere,” one source familiar with the incident said.
“They properly identified themselves,” another source added. “Despicable to attempt to deny care or suggest they go elsewhere.”
The NYPD Detectives Endowment Association fired back at the hospital in a statement Wednesday.
“No individual – especially NYPD detectives injured in the line of duty – should ever be subjected to such treatment,” the statement said. “The DEA is actively investigating this matter and will pursue all available remedies to ensure our members are treated with the dignity, respect, and professionalism they have unequivocally earned.”
The three cops arrived at the hospital after the suspect scuffled and spat on them during a narcotics investigation by cops in Brooklyn North on Friday.
When they arrived at the Cobble Hill emergency room, they were told they could not go in with their service weapons, so two of the cops agreed to hold the guns while one was treated.
However, a spokesman for the hospital denied the cops were ever denied care.
“We provided care to the injured officer, who was asked to temporarily secure his weapon, as per our policy,” the rep said. “The other two officers were allowed to keep their weapons. NYU Langone always values the opportunity to provide care to members of law enforcement.”
The hospital did not comment or confirm the alleged reference to ICE.
An NYPD spokesperson also did not address the alleged comment, but said the department was unhappy with how the cops were treated and would review the incident.
“The members of the NYPD put their lives on the line to protect this city, and the very least they deserve in return is attentive medical care and to be treated with respect,” the spokesperson said.
“Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch is in direct contact with NYU Langone on this matter.”
Additional reporting by Amanda Woods
