Complaint #200708417,
June 13, 2007

Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Zozzaro, James
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Zozzaro, James
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Callahan, Theresa
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Callahan, Theresa
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Haber, Christina
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Zozzaro, James
Complainant: Black Male, 26
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Question
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Unknown Officer Black Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Zozzaro, James Black Male, 26 Abuse of Authority: Stop Unsubstantiated
Zozzaro, James Black Male, 26 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Callahan, Theresa Black Male, 26 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Callahan, Theresa Black Male, 26 Force: Pepper spray Exonerated
Haber, Christina Black Male, 26 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Zozzaro, James Black Male, 26 Abuse of Authority: Question 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.
'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 June 13, 2007 at about 3:24 PM, [redacted] and his friend [redacted] were walking on the sidewalk of Jamaica Avenue in Queens, near 165th Street. [redacted] recalled wearing a black sweater, black long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and a blue Yankee fitted hat. He was not wearing anything else on his head. [redacted] was wearing a gray tee-shirt and dark blue jeans. They were shopping for designer shirts. When [redacted] and [redacted] walked to the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, [redacted] saw PO James Zozzaro (Caucasian / Italian male, 6'2"-6'3", brown eyes, short brown hair, husky build, 275-300 lbs, 24-25 years old) standing with an African-American female partner, later identified as PO Tricia Warner. PO Zozzarro stopped [redacted] and asked to see his ID. When [redacted] asked PO Zozzarro why he was being stopped, PO Zozzarro said, "I've seen you walking around Jamaica Avenue too much." [redacted] showed his ID but told PO Zozzarro that he wanted to talk to a "superior officer." [redacted] remained calm and did not say anything else to PO Zozzarro. PO Zozzarro did not say anything to [redacted] who was standing next to [redacted]. [redacted] and [redacted] started walking in the direction of the 103rd Precinct, located on 168th Street. PO Zozzarro followed the men for about four blocks, all the way to 165th Street. PO Zozzarro did not say anything as he was following them. [redacted] did not see or hear the officer make any radio calls as he followed the individuals.
On 165th Street and Jamaica Avenue, right next to the Tabernacle of Prayer Church, approximately fifteen uniformed police officers ran up to [redacted] and started to "attack" him. PO Zozzarro grabbed [redacted]'s right side, while another white male officer who [redacted] did not see clearly grabbed his left side. The officers were holding [redacted] down and were kicking at his legs. PO1, (Caucasian female, 5'10", blond hair, dark blue eyes, slim build, 170 lbs, 29-30 years old, in uniform, identified through an... Read report for details.


Details

Incident: June 13, 2007
Received: June 14, 2007
Closed: December 28, 2007

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 103rd Precinct Queens
Outcome: Arrest - disorderly conduct

Witness Officers: Senice Black, Tricia Warner