Complaint #201402689,
March 15, 2014

Officer: Young, Richard
Complainant: Black Male, 19
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Melhado, Darren
Complainant: Black Male, 19
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Melhado, Darren
Complainant: Black Male, 19
Allegation: Offensive Language: Race
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Recategorized as: Offensive Language: Other
Officer: Young, Richard
Complainant: Black Male, 19
Allegation: Force: Chokehold
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Young, Richard
Complainant: Black Male, 19
Allegation: Force: Handcuffs too tight
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Young, Richard
Complainant: Black Male, 19
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Young, Richard Black Male, 19 Force: Physical force Unfounded
Melhado, Darren Black Male, 19 Force: Physical force Unfounded
Melhado, Darren Black Male, 19 Offensive Language: Race Unsubstantiated
Recategorized as Offensive Language: Other on December 9, 2024
Young, Richard Black Male, 19 Force: Chokehold Unfounded
Young, Richard Black Male, 19 Force: Handcuffs too tight Unsubstantiated
Young, Richard Black Male, 19 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Command Discipline B)

Conclusion Meanings:

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


Penalty

Young, Richard
Command Discipline - A

Summary

On March 14, 2014, at approximately 6:10 p.m. at Audubon Avenue and West 165th Street in Manhattan, [redacted] was arrested by PO Darren Melhado and PO Richard Young. PO Melhado and PO Young had pursued [redacted] from the Bronx, and upon his arrest, [redacted] was transported back to the 44th precinct stationhouse in the Bronx (complaint encl. 5a-6b, CCRB statement encl. 6c-6g). At approximately 11:15 a.m. on March 15, 2014, [redacted] was brought upstairs by PO Young and PO Melhado to be debriefed by the detective squad. During [redacted] debriefing, PO Young allegedly approached [redacted] placed his left hand on the front of [redacted]'s throat, and pressed strongly on [redacted]'s neck, causing his breathing to be restricted (Allegation A). After the debriefing, [redacted] was taken back downstairs to the holding cell area by PO Young and PO Melhado. On the way down the stairs, PO Melhado allegedly slapped [redacted] on the mouth, told him he would beat him for lying, and proceeded to punch [redacted] in the face five times (Allegation B). PO Young approached and allegedly kicked [redacted]'s feet, causing him to fall to the ground, where PO Young allegedly held [redacted] by the neck and continued to kick [redacted] in the lower back (Allegation A, Allegation C). PO Young then released [redacted]'s neck, and began to punch [redacted] in the back and chest (Allegation C). PO Young acknowledged punching [redacted] twice in the face at this time, after [redacted] refused to remove his jacket before being placed in the holding cell (Allegation D). PO Young allegedly told [redacted] he would remove his handcuffs, but instead retightened them (Allegation E). E.M.S. arrived at the 44th precinct stationhouse and treated [redacted] (see privileged medical records folder, encl. 12). After E.M.S. left, [redacted] was removed from his holding cell for fingerprinting. When PO Melhado returned [redacted] to his holding cell, PO Melhado allegedly said, "Get over there, you bum-ass nigger (Allegation F). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: March 15, 2014
Received: March 20, 2014
Closed: June 25, 2015
Last Updated: December 11, 2024

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - bldg
Location: Police building
In NYPD 44th Precinct Bronx
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Philip Aversano, Marcos Sanchez, Miguel Sanchez