Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski has been placed on administrative leave after a woman, identified by the city as his girlfriend, was charged following an altercation in Johnson City on Friday.Johnson City is located approximately 2.5 miles from Binghamton.
Although Zikuski was present during the incident, he was off-duty and not involved.A video shared on Facebook captures Susan Rice arguing with a group that includes two teenagers sitting on a porch.
At one point, she confronts the family, asking, “What do you do, Section 8?”Shortly after, she declares, “We are the police,” before rushing onto the porch and hitting two individuals identified by Johnson City police as a 16-year-old resident and an 18-year-old friend visiting the home.After striking the teenagers, Rice is hit by someone off-camera. She falls to the ground, at which point Chief Zikuski approaches the porch and attempts to help her up.
Rice was not arrested at the scene on Friday. She later visited the Johnson City Police station on Monday, where she was interviewed, arrested, and charged.Rice faces three charges: endangering the welfare of a child, harassment, and second-degree trespass.
She has been released with an appearance ticket for a future court date.
