15 N.Y. Officers Held in Probe of Corruption

Fifteen officers from the Bronx’s 48th Precinct were arrested at their homes Wednesday morning and another was being sought in connection with a yearlong investigation that uncovered evidence of officers shaking down drug dealers, busting into apartments without warrants and ignoring corruption, law enforcement sources said.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said about seven officers were expected to be suspended for ignoring the corruption.

There has been a string of police corruption scandals in New York City’s other boroughs, and citizen complaints against officers citywide are at record levels. More than 30 arrests have been made in Harlem’s notorious 30th Precinct.

During the 30th Precinct investigation, Officer Michael Dowd told a special commission he made as much as $4,000 a week in protection money from drug dealers and organized “crews” of officers who raided drug dens for cash and narcotics. He was sentenced last year to 14 years in prison on drug and racketeering charges.