Complaint #200707180,
May 16, 2007

Officer: Matzinger, Joseph
Complainant: White Male, 57
Allegation: Offensive Language: Ethnicity
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Recategorized as: Offensive Language: Other
Officer: Matzinger, Joseph
Complainant: White Male, 57
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Matzinger, Joseph
Complainant: White Male, 57
Allegation: Offensive Language: Religion
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Recategorized as: Offensive Language: Other
Officer: Petzolt, John
Complainant: White Male, 57
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Matzinger, Joseph White Male, 57 Offensive Language: Ethnicity Unsubstantiated
Recategorized as Offensive Language: Other on December 9, 2024
Matzinger, Joseph White Male, 57 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Matzinger, Joseph White Male, 57 Offensive Language: Religion Unfounded
Recategorized as Offensive Language: Other on December 9, 2024
Petzolt, John White Male, 57 Force: Physical force 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

Sgt. Joseph Matzinger, PO John Petzolt, and PO Frank Jurs entered the [redacted] in Queens just before midnight on May 15, 2007 in order to conduct a liquor license check. They found alcohol in the restaurant and asked to see a liquor license. They spoke with [redacted] who is the father of the restaurant's owners. The civilians interviewed by the CCRB alleged that during the interaction, Sgt. Matzinger made various offensive remarks regarding [redacted] Russian ethnicity, [redacted] specifically alleging that Sgt. Matzinger said, "Fuck Russia," and, "Go back to Russia" (Allegation A). [redacted] also alleged that Sgt. Matzinger stated, "If you're Jewish, go back to Jewish Russia" (Allegation B). Sgt. Matzinger decided to arrest [redacted] for alcohol violations. [redacted] did not allow himself to be handcuffed, so Sgt. Matzinger and PO Petzolt forcibly grabbed his arms. [redacted] alleged that the officers then intentionally pushed his head into the wall and were ordered to do so by Sgt. Matzinger (Allegations C and D). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: May 16, 2007
Received: May 22, 2007
Closed: February 15, 2008
Last Updated: December 11, 2024

Reason for contact: Other
Location: Commercial building
In NYPD 112th Precinct Queens
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Frank Jurs