Complaint #200508114,
July 17, 2005

Officer: Cowan, Damyn
Complainant: Black Male, 24
Allegation: Force: Nonlethal restraining device
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Cowan, Damyn
Complainant: Black Female, 52
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Cowan, Damyn
Complainant: Black Female, 75
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Cowan, Damyn
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Lipes, Brandon
Complainant: Black Male, 24
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Rivera, Michael
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Officer: Lipes, Brandon
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Female, 75-79
Allegation: Force: Nightstick as club (incl asp & baton)
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 30-34
Allegation: Force: Gun Pointed
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Unavailable
Officer: Cowan, Damyn
Complainant: Black Male, 24
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Unknown Officer
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Property damaged
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Cowan, Damyn Black Male, 24 Force: Nonlethal restraining device Exonerated
Cowan, Damyn Black Female, 52 Force: Pepper spray Unsubstantiated
Cowan, Damyn Black Female, 75 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Cowan, Damyn Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Exonerated
Lipes, Brandon Black Male, 24 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Rivera, Michael Black Male, 26 Force: Physical force Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Lipes, Brandon Black Male, 26 Force: Physical force Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Unknown Officer Black Female, 75-79 Force: Nightstick as club (incl asp & baton) Unfounded
Unknown Officer Black Male, 30-34 Force: Gun Pointed Exonerated
Unknown Officer Abuse of Authority: Frisk Alleged Victim Unavailable
Cowan, Damyn Black Male, 24 Force: Pepper spray Unfounded
Unknown Officer Abuse of Authority: Property damaged Exonerated

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.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.
'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

They reported that earlier that day, uniformed officers entered the residence of [redacted] at [redacted] in Brooklyn and arrested two people. [redacted] is [redacted]s son and was calling IAB on his mother's behalf, but was not present for the incident. The officers were responding to a 911 call placed by [redacted] who stated that she had been assaulted. [redacted] and [redacted] were both beaten and arrested, and their grandmother, [redacted] was knocked to the floor. A taser device was used against [redacted] and other people in the house were pepper sprayed. The undersigned investigator interviewed [redacted] and several people who were in the house, including [redacted], [redacted], and [redacted] stated that they were pepper sprayed. The undersigned investigator also interviewed the officers who initially responded to the location, POs Michael Rivera and Brandon Lipes, and two officers who responded to their call for backup, SGT Damyn Cowan and PO Kenny Garcia. Medical documents for [redacted] and [redacted] were obtained, as well as relevant police documents. [redacted] Read report for details.


Details

Incident: July 17, 2005
Closed: June 1, 2006

Reason for contact: Report of other crime
Location: Apartment/house
In NYPD 67th Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Kenny Garcia