Complaint #200712664,
August 30, 2007

Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 18-20
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 18-20
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 10-14
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 10-14
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 18-20
Allegation: Force: Handcuffs too tight
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 18-20
Allegation: Force: Other
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Officer: Gheorghiu, Ionut
Complainant: Black Male, 17
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Gheorghiu, Ionut
Complainant: Black Male, 17
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 10-14
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Officer: Alba, Wilson
Complainant: Black Male, 20
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Unknown Officer Black Male, 18-20 Force: Pepper spray Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Unknown Officer Black Male, 18-20 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Unknown Officer Black Male, 10-14 Force: Physical force Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Unknown Officer Black Male, 10-14 Force: Pepper spray Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Unknown Officer Black Male, 18-20 Force: Handcuffs too tight Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Unknown Officer Black Male, 18-20 Force: Other Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Gheorghiu, Ionut Black Male, 17 Abuse of Authority: Stop Unsubstantiated
Gheorghiu, Ionut Black Male, 17 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Unsubstantiated
Unknown Officer Black Male, 10-14 Force: Physical force Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Alba, Wilson Black Male, 20 Force: Pepper spray 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 the night of August 30 and early morning of August 31, 2007, multiple residents of [redacted] and surrounding buildings of the Queensbridge Houses development in Queens reported hearing fireworks and shots fired. Police Officers Wilson Alba and Ionut Gheorghiu, both of the Housing Borough Bronx/Queens Impact Response Team, investigated the reports. In the courtyard in front of [redacted] PO Alba and PO Gheorghiu approached a group including [redacted] and other unidentified individuals. PO Gheorghiu grabbed [redacted] by the arm and frisked him (allegations A and B). PO Gheorghiu and PO Alba then realized that the fireworks belonged to [redacted], who was also in the courtyard but was in a separate group including his girlfriend, [redacted], and other unidentified individuals. PO Alba saw [redacted] throw fireworks to the ground and handcuffed him. [redacted] and others in the courtyard protested. Sergeant Michael Loria and POs Edward French, Alfredo Guerra, and Raymond Hill, all of Police Service Area 9, approached to assist in removing [redacted] from the courtyard. [redacted] refused to walk with the officers, and unidentified officers pulled on and allegedly bent his arms, dragging him out of the courtyard (allegation C). [redacted] and other unidentified civilians followed the officers out of the courtyard and onto [redacted] continuing to protest.
Along [redacted] the officers placed [redacted] inside a marked patrol car. Seconds later, [redacted] repeatedly kicked the window of the car, causing it to shatter. PO Alba and other unidentified officers pepper-sprayed [redacted] through the window of the car (allegations D and E). [redacted] began taking photographs of [redacted] and the officers. An unidentified officer repeatedly instructed [redacted] to "move back." [redacted] stepped back, but the unidentified officer pushed him (allegation F). A second unidentified officer allegedly pepper-sprayed [redacted] and he fell to the ground (allegation G). Unidentified officers kicked and punched [redacted]... Read report for details.


Details

Incident: August 30, 2007
Received: August 31, 2007
Closed: October 24, 2008

Reason for contact: C/V intervened on behalf of/observed encounter w/3rd party
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 114th Precinct Queens
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: Dennis Clary, Thomas Dunne, Khadija Faison, Edward French, Alfredo Guerra, Joseph Harmon, Raymond Hill, Joseph Ianno, Michael Lau, James Leto, Leon Lewis, Michael Loria, Joseph May, David Rein, Robert Rivera, Christopher Torrisi, Jay Turner