Complaint #200200987,
January 30, 2002

Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Male
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer: Murray, Michael
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 31
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Gulotta, Joseph
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer: Gulotta, Joseph
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 58
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Property damaged
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Unknown Officer Hispanic Male Force: Physical force Officer(s) Unidentified
Murray, Michael Hispanic Male, 31 Force: Physical force Unfounded
Gulotta, Joseph Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Exonerated
Unknown Officer Hispanic Female, 25-29 Force: Physical force Officer(s) Unidentified
Gulotta, Joseph Hispanic Female, 58 Abuse of Authority: Property damaged Unfounded

Conclusion Meanings:

'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Officer(s) Unidentified': Unable to identify the officers who committed the alleged misconduct
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.

Further details on conclusions.


Summary

On January 30th, 2002, twenty officers from the Emergency Services Unit ("ESU") and the 72nd precinct arrived at [redacted] based upon a valid search warrant (for narcotics) obtained by Sgt. Joseph Gulotta of the 72nd precinct's Anti-Crime unit (allegation a) entry). Officers from ESU's Apprehension tactical team ("A-Team"), the Bomb Squad and the Canine Unit entered [redacted] and were responsible for securing the apartment and handcuffing the five individuals present within. Three allegations of excessive force resulted from officers initial interaction with [redacted] and her family; it was posited that officers used excessive force against (allegations b-d respectively). [redacted] Sgt. Gulotta obtained a valid search warrant for [redacted]. During a photo array session, [redacted] identified PO Michael Murray as the officer that allegedly struck [redacted] in the face; [redacted] additionally, [redacted] was unable to offer an explanation as to how he recognized PO Murray and had previously testified that the officer who struck [redacted] was wearing a helmet during his activity at the residence. [redacted] also made no mention of injury when receiving medical attention (for symptoms related to methadone withdrawal) on [redacted]. The injuries sustained by [redacted] and [redacted] and the injuries they reported while seeking medical treatment immediately following the event, include bruising, swelling and tenderness. These injuries were reportedly sustained when ESU officers "kicked," "hit" and "beat on" [redacted]. Additionally, the ESU officers who arrived at [redacted] had no independent recollection of their activity at the residence. [redacted] Sgt. Joseph Gulotta testified to being responsible for searching [redacted] apartment; according to the statements provided by the civilians involved, the apartment was in disarray and a television had been broken as a result of search. [redacted] Read report for details.


Details

Incident: January 30, 2002
Received: February 13, 2002
Closed: October 22, 2002

Reason for contact: Execution of search warrant
Location: Apartment/house
In NYPD 72nd Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Joseph Giustino, Daniel Murphy, Glenn Ostermann, Thomas Urban