{"active":true,"first_name":"Christopher","last_name":"Rinelli","race":"White","gender":"Male","rank":"LT","command":{"command":"CW T TF","assignment_date":"2026-08-19","id":"75"},"taxid":"949545","complaint_ids":[202410820,202402363,202400649,202401571,202106607],"command_history":[{"command":"070 PCT","id":"70pct"},{"command":"US OPEN TENNIS DETAIL","id":"749"},{"command":"120 PCT","id":"120pct"},{"command":"PBSI","id":"PBSI"},{"command":"066 PCT","id":"66pct"}],"appt_date":"2010-07-06","middle_initial":"A","shield_no_history":[4077,3495],"lawsuits":[{"name":"Laugier, Faith vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2013-09-04","disposition_date":"2015-01-19","payout_amount":85000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"13CV06171","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Rinelli, Christopher A.","summary":"Faith Laugier is a journalist covering the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. This movement wanted to bring attention to income inequality and corporate greed. On October 1, 2011. Plaintiff was documenting the protest when she was directed by the police onto the Brooklyn Bridge’s eastbound traffic lanes.  However, as the group reached the middle of the bridge, the police suddenly ordered everyone to stop.  The police officers did not provide any information on how they should proceed. Police announced they would proceed to arrest and arrest others. The plaintiff complied with police directions but was arrested. Police officer Rinelli falsely accused Faith Laugier of obstructing traffic. Faith was charged with disorderly conduct, which was dismissed on February 6, 2013. She was detained for several hours, held on a bus, then transported between two precincts. The plaintiff suffered emotional distress, loss of property, reputational damage, and legal costs. New York police officers acted under the supervision of said department and according to official duties and state and city law.\n\n\tOn November 15, 2011, the NYPD arrested multiple people at Zuccotti Park. Police removed all protestors, including Faith Laugier, and their belongings. Using unjustified force. Faith asked the police to retrieve her personal items. However, she was blocked by the police. She was denied access despite explaining that she was a journalist and had property in the park. The police cleared out the park, and Faith’s belongings were seized. \nOn November 17, 2011, Faith was covering an OWS demonstration. As the protestors marched, the police blocked their progress. An officer told Faith to move back. The plaintiff was in front of the demonstration and complied with the Police. Police were told Plaintiff was a journalist. Police picked her up and carried her to a van without asking if she could walk. The plaintiff was dropped twice on the street. Officers secured her wrists with tight plastic flexicuffs that caused her hands to turn blue; they could not be taken off with scissors. The plaintiff was taken for process. The defendant restricts the plaintiff's liberty, making it fear for safety, loss of property, and loss of wages. The charges were dismissed on March 22, 2013.  \n\n\tThis was not an isolated incident. The CITY OF NEW YORK is believed to have implemented a policy in which individuals are selected from random arrests out of a group of protestors to create fear and target individuals not engaging in illegal activity. Faith Laugier is suing The City of New York as a municipal entity and multiple police officers in their individual capacities and as police officers.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.417003/gov.uscourts.nysd.417003.37.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4352656/laugier-v-the-city-of-new-york/"}],"discipline":[{"disposition_date":"2023-05-02","case_no":"2023-27965","penalty":"A - Command Discipline, forfeiture of time/leave balances","recommendation":"Command Discipline - A","allegations":[{"desc":"Violated patrol rules - failed to provide a business card"}]}],"image":"https://www.50-a.org/images/officer/JP6X-christopher-rinelli.jpg","id":"JP6X","url":"https://www.50-a.org/officer/JP6X"}