Complaint #200803950,
February 19, 2008

Officer: Lecorps, Shapiro
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Force: Gun Pointed
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Romano, Louis
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Romano, Louis
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Force: Gun Pointed
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Kotarski, Anthony
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Lecorps, Shapiro
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Board Conclusion
Lecorps, Shapiro Black Male, 45 Force: Gun Pointed Substantiated (Charges)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated
Romano, Louis Black Male, 45 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Charges)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated
Romano, Louis Black Male, 45 Force: Gun Pointed Substantiated (Charges)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated
Kotarski, Anthony Black Male, 45 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Substantiated (Charges)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated
Lecorps, Shapiro Black Male, 45 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Substantiated (Charges)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Exonerated

Conclusion Meanings:

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

Further details on conclusions.


Penalties

Romano, Louis
No Disciplinary Action-DUP
No penalty

Kotarski, Anthony
No Disciplinary Action-DUP
No penalty

Lecorps, Shapiro
No Disciplinary Action-DUP
No penalty

Summary

On February 19, 2008, at approximately 11:19PM, [redacted] was driving eastbound on Union Turnpike in Queens when a black Nissan Pathfinder began to follow him. [redacted] was followed for two miles. At one point, the occupants of the vehicle tried to get [redacted] attention and speak to him through their closed driver's side window. The occupants of the Pathfinder were identified through the investigation as Lieutenant Anthony Kotarski and Detective Thomas Alcamo. [redacted] allegedly had not run through any red lights and did not know why the car continued to following him. A Pontiac van also followed closely behind [redacted] vehicle. The occupants of this vehicle were identified through the investigation as Detective Louis Romano and Police Officer Shapiro Lecorps. The officers communicated with each other via cell phone and LT Kotarski expressed that he wanted to stop [redacted] vehicle (Allegation A). DT Alcamo tried to block [redacted] entrance to a nearby roadway and got out of his vehicle. [redacted] drove around DT Alcamo and continued on the road. The officers put on the turret lights in their cars and [redacted] did not stop. [redacted] eventually got into a car accident with DT Romano and PO Lecorps. Both officers approached with their guns drawn and told him to get out of this vehicle (Allegations B and C). [redacted] allegedly told the officers that he was a retired New York City police officer but remained in the car. DT Romano opened [redacted] driver's side door and pulled him out of the vehicle (Allegation D). PO Lecorps asked [redacted] if he was armed and he responded yes. PO Lecorps then removed [redacted] firearm from his waist (Allegation E). LT Kotarski questioned [redacted] about his driving and asked him to produce identification. [redacted] provided his retired NYPD identification. LT Kotarski questioned [redacted] about his driving and where he was going. LT Kotarski directed PO Lecorps to record [redacted] vehicle information and then told [redacted] that he was free to go. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: February 19, 2008
Received: March 18, 2008
Closed: January 5, 2009

Reason for contact: Traffic accident
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 102nd Precinct Queens
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: Thomas Alcamo