Three off-duty NYPD officers were arrested this month on charges of driving while intoxicated, coinciding with the department’s annual wave of holiday parties. The arrests highlight concerns about alcohol-related incidents among officers during the holiday season.

The first arrest occurred on Dec. 6 when Donald Johnson, 32, was stopped in Queens’ 108th Precinct after a citizen reported him to authorities. The precinct encompasses Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside. Johnson was charged with driving while intoxicated, according to police sources.

On Dec. 13, Sheikh Aktaruzzaman, 28, was arrested in the Bronx’s 43rd Precinct, which covers areas like Parkchester and Soundview. Police discovered Aktaruzzaman asleep in his car, which was stopped in the middle of the street at White Plains Road and Wood Avenue. He also faced charges of DWI, driving while ability impaired, and refusing a sobriety test.

The third arrest involved 27-year-old Jose Dejesus Jr., who crashed his car early on Dec. 14 in Staten Island’s Emerson Hill neighborhood. Officers responded to a single-vehicle collision on Roosevelt Street and arrested Dejesus on DWI-related charges.

A police source noted the timing of these incidents, saying, “It’s the holiday season,” as NYPD precincts, bureaus, and fraternal organizations host their annual Christmas parties. Alcohol consumption is a common feature at these events, which coincide with a notable increase in officer overtime due to staffing shortages in the department.

The NYPD has not commented on whether the officers involved were attending holiday parties before their arrests, leaving questions about how department culture and seasonal gatherings may contribute to such incidents.

The arrests raise broader concerns about accountability within the force and the potential risks posed to public safety when officers engage in reckless behavior. As the NYPD continues to deal with shrinking ranks and increased workloads, incidents like these underscore the challenges of maintaining discipline and professionalism during the holidays.