Sarges vs. ‘hothead’
Protest promotion of cop accused of bullying
A tough-talking Staten Island commander recently accused of threatening an underling is being promoted, infuriating the NYPD sergeants union, which says he is a temperamental hothead whose bullying behavior is being rewarded.
Capt. Kevin Noonan, commanding officer of the 123rd Precinct, will be bumped up to deputy inspector Tuesday, his ascension assured after the NYPD’s internal investigators concluded they couldn’t substantiate a charge that Noonan threatened Sgt. Kappa Farid last month.
Officers responded to a call Oct. 2 about a man with a gun, and were met by a person who reported menacing by a gunman who drove away, according to Sergeants Benevolent Association President Ed Mullins, as well as Noonan’s union representative and a police source.
Hours later, a retired cop read about what happened on a crime-reporting app, saw the same car described by the victim and called 911. Again, the suspect got away before cops arrived.
Meanwhile, Noonan, on vacation but listening to a police radio, called the precinct and questioned Farid. The sergeant told Noonan that while he was aware of the initial menacing, he had to step away and was confident the patrol sergeant could fill Noonan in on what happened with the call from the retired cop.
Noonan allegedly exploded in rage, first threatening to show Farid “what green is” — a reference to the green papers filled out when an officer is issued a command discipline — then making a more pointed threat.
“You know what?” Noonan allegedly said. “I’m coming there. I’m gonna f—k you up.”
The duty sergeant and the lieutenant also allegedly got angry calls from Noonan, and when the lieutenant heard about the threat to Farid, he called the Internal Affairs Bureau. The NYPD told the Daily News the IAB couldn’t substantiate the threat, but wouldn’t comment further.
Mullins alleges the IAB probe was half-hearted and not thorough.
Noonan, a 19-year veteran, didn’t respond to a News req Richter, head of the Captains Endowment Association, defended the captain’s work during his two-plus years as commanding officer.
“He is being promoted in recognition of the positive impact his leadership has had on the community,” Richter said.
Farid, an 18-year veteran, had no comment. But his lawyer Marshall Bellovin said he’s contemplating a lawsuit. Bellovin alleges that Farid has been threatened by Noonan in the past and has routinely been denied overtime.
Meanwhile, an enraged Sergeants Benevolent Association is sharing a tape recording they say illustrates Noonan’s over-the-top persona.
“The old culture of the one two three precinct is dead — is dead,” Noonan is heard saying. “And anyone that wants to cling to that culture I’m going to kill, at this point, OK? We’re coming up, May, will be a year down here. People will either acclimate or I’ll kill them.”
The partially recorded remarks — at a meeting of supervisors — came about 11 months after Noonan was named commanding officer of the 123rd Precinct in May 2016. Richter confirmed to The News the voice on the recording is Noonan’s.
The Sergeants Benevolent Association also wants to make sure the people of Staten Island hear the tape — and planned to rent a truck and play the tape on a loudspeaker Sunday.
“There’s such a rage in his voice,” said Mullins. “He yells at people. He threatens people. He complains about the need for more activity. Meanwhile, the department is trying to improve relations with the community. It makes no sense.
“How can you promote this guy?”
Crime at the 123rd Precinct, which covers the southern third of Staten Island, is up 15% this year, thanks to a surge in grand larcenies and stolen cars.