NYPD detective with misconduct history charged for flashing firearm at Long Island stripper

A New York City Police Department detective with a documented history of misconduct was arrested after allegedly flashing a firearm to threaten a stripper outside a Long Island club, authorities said. Detective Ryan Olsen, 37, a veteran member of the NYPD’s Warrant Section, was taken into custody after the incident outside the Carousel Lounge in Huntington Station on Sept. 19, according to Suffolk County police and court records. Olsen earned about $257,000 last year, highlighting the contrast between a high-earning officer and the serious accusations that have followed him during his career. The case has already drawn scrutiny of the NYPD’s internal oversight mechanisms as investigators weigh what, if any, administrative action should follow.

According to police sources, Olsen approached a 23-year-old stripper as she sat in her car outside the Carousel Lounge around 3 a.m., while she was smoking a blunt in the vehicle. He reportedly asked about another dancer, referring to someone nicknamed “Bambi,” and attempted to have the dancer text Bambi to verify information. When the unnamed woman refused to help, the two began to argue in the parking lot. Olsen then allegedly lifted his shirt to reveal a firearm and asked, “Have you ever been shot?” The dancer began shouting for help, and soon called her boss inside the club as Olsen drove away in his own vehicle. The nightclub had Olsen’s name on file because he had entered the venue earlier that evening using his driver’s license, according to sources familiar with the investigation. Surveillance footage from the property is said to have captured Olsen pulling up his shirt to show the gun, corroborating the dancer’s account.

Suffolk County authorities opened an investigation into the incident, and Olsen was later arrested and arraigned on a charge of menacing with a firearm. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment, and his attorney, Peter Brill, said Olsen is innocent until proven guilty. Olsen’s background as a law-enforcement officer formed a notable backdrop to the case: he has served with the NYPD for 15 years and is a 2010 graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Court records show he earned about $257,000 in the last full year on the force. His case has implications not only for his career but also for the trust between the NYPD and the communities it serves, particularly in high-profile or emotionally charged settings like entertainment districts.

The NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau has indicated that it will review the arrest as part of its standard process when an officer is charged with a crime. The department did not publicly announce whether Olsen remains on active duty while the case proceeds. The possibility of termination exists if the department determines a violation of its standards or if the accusations are upheld in adjudication. The investigation continues as officials weigh administrative consequences alongside criminal proceedings.

Beyond the immediate incident, Olsen’s career has been policed by a substantial record of disciplinary matters. Publicly accessible records show 23 misconduct allegations filed against him over the years, with nine substantiated by the Civilian Complaint Review Board, the city’s independent watchdog for police misconduct. The most recent substantiated claims include abuse of authority related to the improper use of a body-worn camera in 2023 and a vehicle search in 2021, both confirmed by the CCRB. The disciplinary history notes that he has undergone formal training and has lost vacation days as a consequence of findings. These factors contribute to the ongoing dialogue about accountability within the NYPD’s enforcement ranks, particularly for officers assigned to specialized units such as the Warrant Section.

Carousel Lounge personnel and management did not comment on the incident. Dancers at the Huntington Station club declined to speak with reporters, and the atmosphere inside the club remained subdued as investigators pursued the case. The incident has already drawn attention to the underpinnings of policing in nightlife hubs, where interactions between law enforcement and performers can be highly charged and scrutinized by the public and media alike. The broader conversation around internal oversight, accountability, and community trust continues to unfold as details emerge from court filings and police statements.

The investigation and ensuing legal process will determine the next steps for Olsen, including whether the NYPD will pursue disciplinary measures such as suspension or termination. Prosecutors will present their case in the criminal proceeding, while the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau continues its own review to assess any professional repercussions that could arise from the alleged conduct. As this case develops, observers will watch how the department balances enforcement of rules with the rights of officers facing criminal charges, and how it responds to public concerns about misconduct in high-profile policing contexts.