GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN — An off-duty NYPD officer was arrested early Wednesday morning in Brooklyn on charges of harassment and criminal obstruction of breathing, according to police.
Rasheed Jefferson, 45, was taken into custody at 2:21 a.m. within the confines of the 94th Precinct, which covers parts of Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Jefferson, a police officer with the NYPD, faces charges of criminal obstruction of breathing and second-degree harassment.
Authorities have not provided details regarding the circumstances that led to Jefferson’s arrest, and it is unclear whether the incident occurred on or off duty. The NYPD has not yet commented on the matter or confirmed whether Jefferson has been suspended or placed on modified duty pending an investigation.
The charges of criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment in the second degree are classified as misdemeanors under New York State law. Criminal obstruction of breathing involves restricting another person’s ability to breathe, while harassment includes actions intended to alarm or annoy.
No additional information has been released about the victim or the context of the allegations.