Police Detective Slaps Child In Hudson Valley Restaurant: DA

MIDDLETOWN, NY — A Middletown police detective admitted that he slapped a 14-year-old boy in a restaurant.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said that on Thursday City of Middletown Police Detective Frederick Slanovec pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection with a May 6 off-duty incident at the Olde Erie Restaurant in Middletown.

The district attorney’s office, along with the City of Middletown Police Department, investigated the incident during which Slanovec struck a 14-year-old boy with an open hand.

Authorities said the child suffered no injuries which would have supported assault charges.

The investigation found that Slanovec had been drinking prior to and during his confrontation with the child.

Slanovec, who has been suspended by the City of Middletown Police Department since the incident, pleaded guilty after a written plea agreement with the district attorney’s office.

He admitted that, around 3:30 p.m. on May 6, while in the restaurant, he told the boy that he had placed the boy’s father in prison and that he was going to arrest the child sometime in the future, even though Slanovec had no reasonable cause to believe that the child had committed any criminal offense or violation that would warrant an arrest.

Besides slapping the child, Slanovec admitted that he pushed the child’s head into a wall.

He also said that, while outside the restaurant, he asked the minor if he “was ready for another round” and admitted to drinking alcoholic beverages before the encounter with the child and driving away from the restaurant.

As part of the plea agreement, Slanovec was ordered to attend one year of alcohol abuse treatment and abstain from consuming any alcoholic beverages for one year. Under the terms of the agreement, the City of Middletown Court and the DA’s office will receive reports every 60 days regarding Slanovec’s compliance with the treatment.

Slanovec, who is still suspended and facing administrative charges concerning his continued employment with the police department, agreed to waive any sealing of the record which would otherwise occur under the law. Because of that, his admissions can be used in administrative proceedings currently pending against him and can also be viewed by any potential future employers.

Additionally, Hoovler’s office notified the City of Middletown Police Department that it does not intend to call Slanovec as a witness in future cases.

Hoovler said, to avoid any appearance of impropriety, the DA’s office determined the charges that were ultimately brought against Slanovec.

At the time of the plea, the court was notified that a grand jury had heard evidence in the matter. A first arrest for slapping or shoving which does not result in injuries to the victim, frequently results in a plea to an offense other than a crime, and those records are usually sealed within a year if there are no further violations by the offender.

In this matter, since the defendant was a police officer, albeit off-duty while the incident occurred, the DA’s office said that it mandated the plea agreement include a waiver of the normal sealing provisions so that future employers, particularly any police agencies considering hiring him, can be made aware of the incident and so that prosecutors may make appropriate disclosures to defendants’ attorneys on cases where the defendant might be called to testify.

Hoovler said there is little doubt that Slanovec’s senseless actions in striking the child were related to alcohol abuse.

“Notwithstanding his exemplary police record and lack of prior offenses, his actions in this case cannot be excused merely because he committed these acts while off-duty and after drinking,” he said.

“The young victim in this case knew that the defendant was a police officer and the defendant’s actions will likely cause him, and others, to not trust and appreciate those police officers who risk their lives every day keeping us safe,” Hoovler said. “I sincerely hope that this defendant, and all who suffer from alcohol or other substance abuse issues, seek the help that they need to overcome their issues before they seriously harm others and themselves.”