A uniformed NYPD sergeant was caught on video unleashing a vulgar tirade against a group of Brooklyn men, threatening them with his gun even while condoning their criminal behavior.
Sgt. Lesly Charles even indicated that some criminal activity is apparently OK on his beat — as long as he is paid proper respect.
“You guys are hustling or whatever, I ain’t got no problem with that. Listen … do your thing,” Charles barked during the April 28 diatribe, which is now being investigated by the New York City’s Civilian Complaint Review Board. “But when I come around, and I speak, you f*ck*ng listen. Tell your boys.”
The surly sergeant apparently was angry over a car that was illegally parked. His rant against the men was recorded on a 20-minute cell phone video obtained exclusively by the New York Post.
The footage includes Charles berating a young man in the roadway near a silver BMW, telling him, “This is my street. All right? If you got to play tough, that’s your problem … I do whatever the f*ck I want.”
A short time later, Charles followed the group into the nearby No. 1 Chinese Food restaurant, flanked by two plainclothes cops.
After the target of his tirade insisted, “I didn’t do anything,” Charles retorted, “Listen to me. When you see me, you look the other way. Tell your boys.”
The 21-year-old man who shot the video — and provided it to the Post on condition of anonymity — was arrested that night and charged with disorderly conduct, which court records show was for ignoring the cops’ orders to leave.
Police sources said he has been arrested more than 20 times, including for petit larceny and weapons and pot possession.
An NYPD spokeswoman said the department is investigating the incident.
The man’s lawyer, David Zelman, said it was troubling that “there were other cops by [Charles'] side, and they seemed to take it in stride.”
Charles, reached at home Sunday, said, “I’m just doing God’s work. You know I can’t comment … Have a blessed day.”
