Complaint #200504190,
April 14, 2005

Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: White Male, 40-44
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer: Schmitt, Steven
Complainant: Male, 33
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Tarantola, Frank
Complainant: White Male, 44
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Tarantola, Frank
Complainant: White Male, 44
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Tierney, Kevin
Complainant: White Male, 44
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Tarantola, Frank
Complainant: White Male, 44
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Unknown Officer White Male, 40-44 Force: Physical force Officer(s) Unidentified
Schmitt, Steven Male, 33 Discourtesy: Word Substantiated (Charges)
Tarantola, Frank White Male, 44 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Substantiated (Charges)
Tarantola, Frank White Male, 44 Discourtesy: Word Substantiated (Charges)
Tierney, Kevin White Male, 44 Discourtesy: Word Substantiated (Charges)
Tarantola, Frank White Male, 44 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated

Conclusion Meanings:

'Officer(s) Unidentified': Unable to identify the officers who committed the alleged misconduct
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'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.


Penalties

Tarantola, Frank
Instructions

Schmitt, Steven
Instructions

Tierney, Kevin
Instructions

Summary

He stated that he had been arrested on April 14, 2005 and that as he was going to be loaded onto a prisoner van, he asked to be placed in two sets of handcuffs so a long-term injury to his left shoulder would not be exacerbated. His request was refused and he was rear-cuffed with a single set of handcuffs that were affixed to a chain connecting [redacted] to four other prisoners. One of the other prisoners, [redacted] was located during the investigation and made allegations of his own. [redacted] stated that PO Kevin Tierney and PO Steven Schmitt, both of the 108th Precinct, used profanity when addressing the other prisoners and him as they were being brought outside (Allegations A and B). As [redacted] and the other prisoners were being loaded into the prisoner van, [redacted] 's left arm was pulled towards the van by the chain, causing his shoulder to be in excruciating pain. [redacted] screamed out very loudly and asked to be released from the chain. As [redacted] screamed, Lt. Frank Tarantola of the 108th Precinct charged out of the station house, said, "Shut your fucking mouth!" to [redacted] and then said, "Get in the van. Sit the fuck down." (Allegation C) When [redacted] continued to scream in pain, Lt. Tarantola instructed a second officer to release [redacted] from the chain connecting him to the other prisoners. Lt. Tarantola then forced [redacted] 's injured arm behind his back with far more force than was necessary, putting him in excruciating pain (Allegation D). Officers then started to escort [redacted] into the station house. As [redacted] walked, an officer pushed him forward and he fell to the ground (Allegation E). Several officers then picked up [redacted] and carried him into the station house. As they did so, Lt. Tarantola threatened [redacted] with force, saying, "You say two words on the way into that precinct, I'm going to crack your fucking skull open for you," and then repeating a similar statement to him (Allegation F). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: April 14, 2005
Received: April 16, 2005
Closed: April 14, 2006

Reason for contact: Other
In NYPD 108th Precinct Queens
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Wojciech Braszczok, Kelly Mckenna, David Porter