Complaint #200304496,
June 7, 2003

Officer: Mackenzie, Angus
Complainant: Black Male, 20
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Abramson, Robert
Complainant: Black Male, 20
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Abramson, Robert
Complainant: Black Male, 20
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Mackenzie, Angus Black Male, 20 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Abramson, Robert Black Male, 20 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Abramson, Robert Black Male, 20 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated

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.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.

Further details on conclusions.


Summary

On the day of the Puerto Rican Day Festival, June 7, 2003, on 104th Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan, he stopped at a light on his bicycle when a car stopped and a man got out and began to chase him. The man did not identify himself as an officer, so [redacted] unsure about who was chasing him, rode away. Four or five officers came and knocked him off his bike, threw him in a puddle, and handcuffed him. [redacted] was not arrested but was issued a summons for riding his bike on the sidewalk.
On June 7, 2003 he and his friend [redacted] were riding their bicycles around 4:00 p.m. southbound on Park Avenue. [redacted] was riding on the sidewalk. He stopped at the corner of 104th and a car stopped beside him. It was a newer model four-door black car. The driver got out and said, "Come here," and began to chase him, and [redacted] started riding his bike away from him. [redacted] claimed that he was not aware that they were officers until much later, but this man was later identified as Officer Rashford Dean. He continually looked back, and Officer Dean kept chasing him.
[redacted] was able to race away about half a block south on Park Avenue. Officer Mackenzie and Sgt. Abramson were down the block and cut him off. Officer Dean caught up and allegedly pulled him off of his bike and he landed in a puddle on the ground. [redacted] had kept going and did not witness the incident. By this time he realized they were officers. [redacted] was handcuffed and picked up from the ground. They had a discussion about the fact that [redacted] is brother is an officer. Officer Dean issued him a summons, and Sgt. Abramson allegedly asked him if he was stupid and he told them he did not know who they were.
During the entire process, he never heard sirens or saw a badge on any of the officers. After being issued a summons he was allowed to leave. [redacted] obtained Officer Dean's name from the summons. The incident lasted fifteen minutes. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: June 7, 2003
Received: June 13, 2003
Closed: November 18, 2003

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 23rd Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: Summons - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Rashford Dean, Jonathan Fox