New York City Police Officer Who Killed Unarmed Teenager Has Received Thousands in Raises Since the Shooting

New York City Police Dept. officer Richard Haste, center, flanked by his lawyers Stuart London, left, and Michael Martinez, is arraigned in Bronx Supreme Court, in New York, Wednesday, June 13, 2012, in the death of 18-year-old Ramarley Graham. The shooting stemmed from an NYPD investigation in February of street corner drug dealing. Police pursued Graham into his home. He was shot once at close range as his grandmother and 6-year-old brother stood nearby.(AP Photo/Richard Drew, Pool)

The NYPD officer who fatally shot an unarmed Bronx teenager several years ago has received nearly $25,000 in raises since the kill.

Officer Richard Haste, now 34, has earned $88,614 this fiscal year, according to public records.

That’s compared to the $63,694 he earned in fiscal year 2012, the year he shot Ramarley Graham inside the teen’s home after a chase that started outside. Police officials said Haste thought Graham had a gun, and that he was participating in a drug deal.

The raises have come despite Haste not being allowed to carry a service weapon and being placed on modified duty, or desk duty, since killing Graham.

Constance Malcolm and Frank Graham, parents of 18-year-old Ramarley Graham, weep during the arraignment of New York City Police Dept. officer Richard Haste, in Bronx Supreme Court, in New York, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, Pool)

 

Haste currently works in the department’s motor fleet division. 

Al O'Leary, spokesman for the city’s largest police union, the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, told the Huffington Post that Haste’s raises were automatic.

“Any raises that any police officer, detective, sergeant on up to captain gets is because it is contractually mandated as a result of an agreement between the city and the union that represents the title,” O'Leary said.

“So suggesting that there is something special or unusual in any raise for any non-managerial member of the NYPD, like Haste, is simply wrong. Everyone in that same title with similar time on the job (longevity pay) got what he got. That’s the way it works.”

Franclot Graham speaks to his son, Ramarley Graham, in his casket before funeral services, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in the Bronx borough of New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

 

NYPD Internal Affairs has been investing the death of Graham since it happened, while the Department of Justice launched its own investigation in September 2014. 

But Graham’s family did agree to settle their wrongful death lawsuit against the city earlier this year, according to the NY Daily News. They received $3.9 million.

Graham’s father is upset about the raises.

“This is what you do?” he said. “Reward these guys for killing innocent people? How is this possible? I'd like to ask the current mayor, the city council, the commissioner: How is this possible?”