Complaint #200807091,
May 17, 2008

Officer: Szczecinski, Michael
Complainant: Black Female, 28
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Szczecinski, Michael
Complainant: Black Female, 28
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Szczecinski, Michael
Complainant: Black Female, 28
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Szczecinski, Michael
Complainant: Black Female, 28
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Szczecinski, Michael Black Female, 28 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Szczecinski, Michael Black Female, 28 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Exonerated
Szczecinski, Michael Black Female, 28 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated
Szczecinski, Michael Black Female, 28 Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment Unfounded

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

On May 17, 2008 at 4:35 PM, [redacted] was driving on Avenue I and East 15th Street in Brooklyn when she was stopped by PO Michael Szczecinski, who informed her that she ran a stop sign. As [redacted] attempted to dispute the summons with him, PO Szczecinski allegedly told her, "Are you a fucking idiot? If someone's pulling you over that means they saw you" (Allegation A). While [redacted] was in her vehicle speaking with a 911 operator on her cell phone, PO Szczecinski approached the driver's seat and told her, "I'm gonna dig you out of the car if you don't come out (Allegation B). Several minutes later, [redacted]'s husband, arrived on the scene in another vehicle and asked the officers why they were issuing [redacted] a summons and why they would not give her license back to her. [redacted] was placed under arrest for obstructing governmental administration. PO Szczecinski walked up to [redacted] and placed her under arrest as well. Upon placing her in handcuffs, the officer allegedly kicked the back of [redacted]'s legs to get her to walk faster and hit [redacted] on the head with his police cap to force her inside the police car (Allegation C). In the 70th Precinct stationhouse, [redacted] allegedly asked PO Szczecinski for medical attention and he refused to assist her, insisting that she would have to wait until she was taken to Central Booking (Allegation D). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: May 17, 2008
Received: May 19, 2008
Closed: December 1, 2008

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 70th Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Arrest - assault (against a PO)

Witness Officers: Christopher Donohue, Walter Roberts, Howard Slade, Edmund Small