Police: Schenectady detective arrested on violation harassment count in Utica

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SCHENECTADY – A city detective has been arrested in Utica on a violation-level offense, city police said Thursday.

Detective Steven Nelson, a 10-year veteran of the department, was charged with the violation after an off-duty altercation in Utica, Schenectady police said.

Schenectady police we’re notified of the incident by Utica police early Thursday.

Court officials in Utica identified the charge as second-degree harassment, a violation, and the offense date as Thursday morning.

Nelson is due to make his initial court appearance there May 2. No attorney is yet on file for Nelson.

Violations, like harassment, are below misdemeanors in seriousness.

The Utica Police Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said he was given a preliminary summary of the incident, but declined to comment further, citing the early stages of the investigation.

“We are at this point cooperating with Utica Police Department and awaiting to see what the outcome is,” McCarthy said. “I don’t know the specific details.”

The Schenectady Police Department Office of Professional Standards has launched an investigation, Schenectady police said.

Nelson has been on the Schenectady force since 2009, newspaper records show.

Schenectady Police Chief Eric Clifford issued a statement as part of the release.

“The Schenectady Police Department prides itself on being professional, trustworthy, and transparent,” Clifford’s statement reads. “My expectations are that all of our officers conduct themselves as consummate professionals, both on and off duty. While I do not condone the actions of Detective Nelson, I urge the public to continue to support and trust the Schenectady Police Department and its officers.”