Former NYPD Officer Matthew Lambert Pleads Guilty to Misconduct Charges
A police officer from the NYPD was arrested for engaging in a sexual relationship with a woman he had arrested and for sending inappropriate messages to crime victims. Officer Matthew Lambert pleaded guilty to official misconduct charges and accepting an illegal gratuity. He received a sentence of two years probation and 100 hours of community service. Lambert joined the NYPD in 2014 and resigned in December.
During his time with the NYPD, Lambert was accused of having a sexual relationship with a woman he arrested and sending lewd messages to both arrestees and crime victims he encountered through his work. Before his resignation, he was reassigned to the Viper Room in Patrol Service Area 2, where officers facing misconduct allegations are often placed to monitor NYCHA surveillance cameras in north Brooklyn. Lambert had a record of 96 felony arrests and 101 misdemeanor arrests during his 11-year career with the NYPD.
Throughout his career, Lambert had six complaints filed against him with the Civilian Complaint Review Board, with 18 allegations that included the use of force, abuse of authority, and discourtesy. However, only three of these complaints were substantiated. Additionally, Lambert was involved in seven lawsuits that resulted in $150,000 in settlement payouts, as reported by the website 50-a.org.
In conclusion, Officer Matthew Lambert's actions led to his arrest and guilty plea for official misconduct and accepting an illegal gratuity. His behavior, including engaging in a sexual relationship with a woman he arrested and sending inappropriate messages to crime victims, resulted in his resignation from the NYPD. Lambert's history of complaints and lawsuits during his career further highlight the consequences of his actions.