By Joe Anuta
The 109th Precinct’s November Cop of the Month has not only distinguished himself in northeast Queens, but has made more arrests than any other officer in his position throughout the entire city.
Police Officer Troy Prescod works in the domestic violence unit of the precinct, which covers Flushing, College Point, Whitestone, Bay Terrace and part of Auburndale, and was honored at the monthly meeting of the 109th Precinct Community Council.
He has made 91 arrests so far this year, which is the most of any domestic violence officer in the five boroughs, according to Deputy Inspector Brian Maguire, the commanding officer at the station house.
“They are out there making arrests every day,” Maguire said, referring to the officer and his partner.
Prescod said he can make the large number of collars because domestic violence officers are not required to always respond to radio calls like beat cops.
“The responsibility is different,” he said. “I follow up on cases.”
He is not rushing off at every squawk of the radio, but that hardly means the officer of six years takes it easy.
After a domestic incident report comes into the precinct, Prescod goes out to homes in the area to check them out.
Suspects who abuse their spouses are not always at home, which is why persistence is key, according to the officer.
It may take several visits to finally catch up with a suspect, but the unsuccessful attempts serve a purpose as well, according to Prescod.
“People will be less likely to re-offend if they know we follow up,” he said.
And while Prescod could just check the house once and then go home, he puts in the time needed to make sure any perpetrators of domestic violence are brought to justice, he said.
“I don’t feel right just going home,” he said. “They might not be there tomorrow.”
He joined the force in 2005 and had his eye on the domestic violence department, which also promotes proactive police work like counseling.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind,” he said.
After Prescod approached senior officers with an interest in the position, he was welcomed aboard in 2010.
Prescod was not the only honoree during the meeting.
The 109th Precinct Community Council also received a $2,000 check from a BP gas station owner in Queens as part of a grant from the petroleum giant.
The council is a registered charity and received the money after a former officer from the 109th Precinct told the station owner, Joseph Choi, it would be a good recipient of the cash.
The money will be used to pay for some of the council’s programs for children, like an upcoming Christmas party for underprivileged youth, according to Vice President Vana Partridge, along with other initiatives like the Explorers Program, which is designed to educate youngsters about law enforcement.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
