Complaint #200717516,
November 27, 2007

Officer: Siani, Christopher
Complainant: Black Male, 40
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Siani, Christopher
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Victim Unidentified
Officer: Siani, Christopher
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Victim Unidentified
Officer: Siani, Christopher
Complainant: Black Male, 40
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline)
Officer: Butler, William
Complainant: Black Male, 40
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline)
Officer: Butler, William
Complainant: Black Male, 40
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline)
Officer: Thorn, Aaron
Complainant: Black Male, 40
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Siani, Christopher Black Male, 40 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Exonerated
Siani, Christopher Abuse of Authority: Frisk Victim Unidentified
Siani, Christopher Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Victim Unidentified
Siani, Christopher Black Male, 40 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Substantiated (Command Discipline)
Butler, William Black Male, 40 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Substantiated (Command Discipline)
Butler, William Black Male, 40 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Substantiated (Command Discipline)
Thorn, Aaron Black Male, 40 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated

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.
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'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.


Penalties

Siani, Christopher
No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Command Discipline - B

Butler, William
No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Command Discipline - B

Summary

On November 27, 2007, at approximately 11:40 PM, [redacted] was driving in his silver BMW with his friend "[redacted] when officers stopped his vehicle at West 141st Street and Chisum Place in Manhattan (allegation A). Four officers, identified as Sgt. Christopher Siani, PO Delwyn Davis, PO William Butler and PO Aaron Thorn approached his vehicle. PO Butler and PO Thorn approached the driver's side and Sgt. Siani and PO Davis approached the passenger side. PO Butler asked [redacted] for his information and [redacted] asked why the officers had stopped him. PO Butler again asked [redacted] for his license and [redacted] explained that he would provide it; he just wanted an explanation for the stop. At that point, PO Thorn stepped forward and allegedly said "Give him your fucking license" (allegation B). [redacted] refused and he was instructed to exit the vehicle. [redacted] initially refused to exit the vehicle, but upon being asked again, he complied, as did [redacted]. Once outside of the vehicle, PO Butler allegedly frisked and searched [redacted] (allegations C and D) and [redacted] thought that [redacted] was also frisked and searched (allegations E and F). Afterwards, both [redacted] and [redacted] were brought to the back of the vehicle while PO Butler and Sgt. Siani searched it (allegation G). After concluding the search, the officers returned to their vehicle and ran [redacted]s information through the system. PO Thorn returned to [redacted] and asked for his registration, and when [redacted] asked where the "CPR" was, PO Thorn began to curse and allegedly said "Give me your damn registration" (also allegation B). PO Davis eventually explained to [redacted] that they had stopped his vehicle because they suspected it was stolen. The officers returned [redacted]s information and released him without arresting or summonsing him or [redacted]. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: November 27, 2007
Received: December 5, 2007
Closed: June 9, 2009

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - auto
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 32nd Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: Delwyn Davis, Carlos Guzman