Complaint #200703241,
March 8, 2007

Officer: Ceparano, Bruce
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of summons
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Ceparano, Bruce
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Question and/or stop
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Ceparano, Bruce Black Male, 26 Abuse of Authority: Threat of summons Exonerated
Ceparano, Bruce Black Male, 26 Abuse of Authority: Question and/or stop 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.

Further details on conclusions.


Summary

On March 8, 2007, at approximately 1:30am, [redacted] was coming from work and heading home. He was driving on Nostrand Avenue and stopped his car at a red light on the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Church Avenue. He noticed a police officer, later identified as PO Bruce Ceparano, exiting a deli on the corner. PO Ceparano was the driver of the patrol vehicle. PO Ceparano's patrol car was parked, facing north, towards Flatbush Avenue. PO Ceparano entered his vehicle. PO Ceparano was described as a white male, five feet, eight inches tall, weighing one hundred and eighty pounds with a shiny baldhead and a muscular build. The light changed red for PO Ceparano and green for [redacted] had the right-of-way but out of courtesy he let PO Ceparano pull out in front of him. PO Ceparano pulled out and then [redacted] began driving behind him. PO Ceparano slowed down as they were heading south on Nostrand Avenue. [redacted] signaled left to go around PO Ceparano. [redacted] was in the left lane, ahead of PO Ceparano, and PO Ceparano was in the right lane. [redacted] signaled to get into the right lane, getting in front of PO Ceparano. [redacted] stated that he did not cut PO Ceparano off, he had enough room to make the lane change. [redacted] made a right turn onto Tilden Avenue. PO Ceparano made a right turn on Tilden Avenue, right behind him. [redacted] made a right turn on 29th Street and PO Ceparano made a right turn on 29th Street. [redacted] made a right onto Albermarle Road and PO Ceparano made a left onto Albermarle Road.
[redacted] parked his vehicle while PO Ceparano was on the corner of 29th Street and Albermarle Road. [redacted] exited his vehicle and saw PO Ceparano turn left on Albermarle Road and stop his vehicle. [redacted] started walking towards his house and then realized that he left his cellular phone in his car. He went back to his vehicle, opened the door, and grabbed the sidekick. PO Ceparano reversed down Albermarle Road and stopped approximately ten feet in front of [redacted]'s car. At this... Read report for details.


Details

Incident: March 8, 2007
Closed: August 16, 2007

Reason for contact: Moving violation
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 67th Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: Jerome Bacchi, Gerald Barnett, Fakrul Islam