31-year veteran Detective Jay Poggi, just weeks away from his planned retirement, signed out of the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn claiming that he and his partner were going to investigate a robbery. Ultimately, the cops went for drinks at The Wharf Bar & Grill .

As a general rule of thumb, alcohol and firearms don’t mix. Despite the allegedly superior trustworthiness, ethics and training that permits Poggi and other officers special firearms privileges in the eyes of New York law, after hopping back in the unmarked patrol car, Poggi decided to throw caution into the wind and show his partner a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver.

According to reports, the gun “suddenly discharged,” and Poggi’s partner, Matthew Sullivan, was shot in the wrist.

Poggi drove Sullivan to the hospital, where he was met with an NYPD Internal Affairs officer who smelled alcohol on Poggi’s breath. About 90 minutes after the shooting Poggi was given a field breathalyzer test, which showed that he had a BAC of .11, well over the legal driving limit of .08. According to prosecutors, Poggi later refused to take a full breathalyzer test.

Poggi was charged with driving while intoxicated and has been suspended without pay, but was released without bail.





