Binghamton Police Chief Placed on Leave After Girlfriend's Johnson City Altercation

Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski has been placed on administrative leave following an off-duty incident involving his girlfriend, Susan Rice, in Johnson City. A video circulated on social media shows Rice engaging in a verbal dispute with two teenagers on their porch before physically striking one of them and being pushed to the ground. The altercation, which included Rice allegedly trespassing and harassing the teens, is under investigation by the Johnson City Police Department. Mayor Jared Kraham emphasized that Rice is a private citizen with no official city affiliation, expressing concern over her language and perceived sense of impunity due to her association with law enforcement. Assistant Chief John C. Ryan has been appointed acting police chief during the review of the incident. Charges against Rice include second-degree harassment, endangering the welfare of a child, and trespass, with a court appearance pending.