March 29, 2015

Philadelphia police officer charged with DUI, aggravated assault

Police: patrol car had three flat tires, bent rims

By Michael Tanenbaum
PhillyVoice Staff

Philadelphia Police Department/for PhillyVoice

Philadelphia Police Officer Daryl Cathey, 26, was arrested on Saturday and charged with DUI.

A six-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department was charged with driving under the influence on Saturday after a fellow officer found him driving a marked vehicle with flat tires and smelled alcohol on his breath.

Officer Darryl Cathey, 26, was spotted by a sergeant on the 6500 block of Woodland Avenue in southwest Philadelphia just after midnight, NBC 10 reports. According to Lieutenant John Stanford, Officer Cathey, of the 12th District, was driving in a marked police cruiser with three flat tires and bent rims.

At the scene, Cathey told the sergeant who stopped him that he did not know the tires of the police cruiser were flat and that he had been driving on the rims. He was described by police as having bloodshot eyes.

While he was brought into custody, Cathey reportedly struggled with authorities before being charged with DUI. An investigation by the accident division and internal affairs will follow, according to Lt. Stanford. Cathy was later charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal mischief, and recklessly endangering another person

"The department takes these type of incidents seriously and behavior that doesn't conform with department policy will not be tolerated," said Lt. Stanford. "The appropriate action will be taken against this officer as soon as all charges are filed."

This is not the first time Cathey has run into trouble as a police officer. He was arrested in 2011 for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, an incident which led to his dismissal in January 2012.

He was reinstated in February 2014 after a grievance settlement was reached in late 2013.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey will now suspend Cathey for 30 days with intent to dismiss.

Bail has been set at $5,000, and Cathey is scheduled to appear in court April 13.