NYPD officer allegedly groped rape victim he was investigating

Lukasz Skorzewski has been removed from the Manhattan Special Victims Division after a woman has accused him of inappropriate behaviour

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A New York detective has been accused of doing the last thing he should be doing while investigating a rape case, allegedly attempting to force himself on a woman he met while investigating her own rape allegations.

The New York Daily News reported that NYPD Detective Lukasz Skorzewski has been removed from the Manhattan Special Victims Division after a woman has accused him of inappropriate behaviour while he was in Seattle investigating a rape case involving the woman.

The woman claims that Mr Skorzewski and his boss, Lt. Adam Lamboy, came out to Seattle in July 2013 to speak with her about a rape case they were investigating. Mr Lamboy has not been accused of any wrongdoing in this case.

The woman came to NYPD in January 2013 to report a rape, claiming she was assaulted by a man in his Manhattan apartment. Mr Skorzewski was assigned the case.

While the officers were in Seattle investigating these allegations they met up with the woman and went out drinking. The woman says she initially declined their offer to go out, but changed her mind after she was told she would be safe with the officers.

After a reported nine hours of drinking, the woman went back to the hotel with the officers and stayed the night in Mr Skorzewski’s hotel room, with the officer reportedly sleeping on the in-room sofa.

The next morning, however, the detective got into bed with the woman and asked if he could put his arm around her and kiss her. She acquiesced, but told him that she needed to remain clothed.

She accuses Mr Skorzewski of then trying to put his hands down her pants. The woman said she briefly continued the encounter but then ended it, getting in the shower alone, reports say.

After the officers returned to New York, the woman and Mr Skorzewski continued a relationship over the phone for a brief time. Reports aren’t clear on when or why the relationship ended.

Mr Skorzewski has been demoted to patrol officer while the investigation is ongoing.