05-06-2025
NYPD captain fired for harassing detective with explicit texts and lewd photos: NYPD
An NYPD captain has been fired for sexting a detective with explicit language and pictures of his penis, according to NYPD documents.
Capt. Brian Flynn was canned by Commissioner Jessica Tisch in April — three months before his 20th anniversary on the job, meaning he lost the pension and health benefits to which he would have otherwise been entitled.
Flynn had pleaded guilty, hoping to save his job — or at least be allowed to retire so he could keep his pension and benefits.
He testified at a mitigation hearing at One Police Plaza that he took full responsibility for his actions, NYPD Trial Judge Jeff Adler noted in department documents, and admitted he had embarrassed his family and the NYPD.
A department psychologist, Dr. Gregory Mack, testified on Flynn's behalf that the captain was traumatized by his past — based on Flynn telling Mack that his father physically and mentally abused him and that he discovered his mother's body when she killed herself in 2013, according to the documents.
But Adler said that doesn't 'in any way excuse [Flynn's] egregious behavior in this case.'
Adler noted the 'stream of sexually graphic, disturbing text messages, including a number of offensive photographs.'
'Moreover,' Adler added, '[Flynn] did so while he was on duty, when he should have been focusing on his public safety obligations.'
Tisch, who has the final say in all disciplinary matters, on April 11 signed off on Adler's recommendation without commenting further.
The detective who accused Flynn would not comment.
She joined the NYPD in 2014 and said in a lawsuit filed two years ago that while working at Bronx Warrants she was subjected to two years of sexual harassment by Flynn beginning in April 2021, when he was named the unit's commanding officer.
The suit, which is still pending, accuses Flynn of at least 10 times texting the detective photos of his erect penis, often while working — and of his ejaculate on a napkin.
He made lewd text comments as well, according to the suit and police documents, including suggesting what he would do with his tongue if she ever arrested him.
He also texted the detectives a photo of the lower half of her clothed body.
'I wanna eat it,' he said, according to the documents.
Flynn, who is married, also asked for the detective's underwear, according to the suit, promising her a Commander's Day — a day off that a supervisor can grant to an underling for exemplary police work, such as a good arrest. When the detective refused Flynn's request she was denied days off and overtime, the suit says.
After the detective filed an EEO complaint in November 2022, Flynn sought help from department doctors, the documents say.
John Scola, the detective's lawyer, said Flynn got what he deserved.
'His conduct was predatory, vile and an unforgivable abuse of power against a subordinate who had the courage to say no,' Scola said. 'While this outcome is a step forward, protecting women in law enforcement demands real reform, not just damage control after the harm is done.'
Flynn could not be reached for comment. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
