Hip NYPD officer's clothes grab online attention

By Deepti Hajela

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, Oct. 20 2011 2:20 p.m. MDT

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Detective Rick Lee talks to a pedestrian in Zuccotti Park in New York, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. Lee is gaining Internet fame for his un-stereotypical appearance. Online blog posts make tongue-in-cheek references to him as the "Hipster Cop." His look includes cardigans, professorial-style glasses and side-swept hair. The plainclothes officer has been doing community affairs work at the protest.

Seth Wenig, Associated Press

Summary

One New York Police Department officer keeping an eye on the Occupy Wall Street protesters finds the protesters are keeping their eyes on him because of the hip way he dresses.

NEW YORK — One New York Police Department officer keeping an eye on the Occupy Wall Street protesters finds the protesters are keeping their eyes on him because of the hip way he dresses.

Manhattan plainclothes Detective Rick Lee is gaining Internet fame for his un-stereotypical appearance. He dresses like a cool college professor.

Online blog posts make tongue-in-cheek references to him as the Hipster Cop.

His look includes cardigans, skinny ties, professorial-style glasses and side-swept hair.

Other plainclothes officers dress more casually and are fond of jeans.

Lee has been doing community affairs work at the protest.

He says most people don't realize he's a police officer. He says the non-traditional look helps break down "a lot of walls."

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