Complaint #201404953,
April 22, 2014

Officer: Cappellano, Michael
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Question
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline)
Officer: Cappellano, Michael
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline)
Officer: Cappellano, Michael
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Cappellano, Michael
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Bianchini, Jason
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Question
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline)
NYPD Disposition: Formalized Training
Officer: Bianchini, Jason
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline)
NYPD Disposition: No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Officer: Bianchini, Jason
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Bianchini, Jason
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Wright, Anthony
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Wright, Anthony
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Bianchini, Jason
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline)
NYPD Disposition: Formalized Training
Officer: Cappellano, Michael
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Board Conclusion
Cappellano, Michael White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Question Substantiated (Command Discipline)
Cappellano, Michael White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Substantiated (Command Discipline)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated
Cappellano, Michael White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Unsubstantiated
Cappellano, Michael White Male, 25 Discourtesy: Word Unfounded
Bianchini, Jason White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Question Substantiated (Command Discipline)
NYPD Disposition: Formalized Training
Bianchini, Jason White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Substantiated (Command Discipline)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated
NYPD Disposition: No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Bianchini, Jason White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Unsubstantiated
Bianchini, Jason White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Unfounded
Wright, Anthony White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Substantiated (Charges)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated
Wright, Anthony White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Unsubstantiated
Bianchini, Jason White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Substantiated (Command Discipline)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated
NYPD Disposition: Formalized Training
Cappellano, Michael White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Unsubstantiated

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.


Penalties

Wright, Anthony
Closed: Guilty after trial-PC Approved, March 22, 2016
APU Guilty
Forfeit vacation 3 days

Bianchini, Jason
Formalized Training / Command Level Instructions

Cappellano, Michael
Formalized Training
Formalized Training / Command Level Instructions

Summary

On April 22, 2014, at approximately 3:30 p.m., [redacted] were driving from [redacted] to a liquor store located in the vicinity of 67th Avenue and Fresh Pond Road. Just after making a right turn onto 67th Avenue, [redacted]'s vehicle was pulled over for a traffic infraction by PO Michael Cappellano, PO Jason Bianchini and Det. Anthony Wright. [redacted] alleged that PO Cappellano and PO Bianchini searched his vehicle; while [redacted] alleged that only PO Bianchini searched the vehicle (Allegations A and B). [redacted] alleged that while he was at the back of the vehicle, first PO Bianchini and then PO Cappellano, asked if he had any guns or drugs in his vehicle (Allegations C and D). PO Cappellano then opened up a small pill container, which was located on [redacted]'s key chain, and found two pills each of Klonopin and Paxil. [redacted] did not have his prescription on him at the time of the incident so he was arrested for [redacted].
On May 14, 2014, at approximately 2:00 p.m., [redacted] were driving on the 80th Street overpass between Cooper Avenue and 78th Avenue in Queens when they were pulled over by PO Cappellano, PO Bianchini and Det. Wright (Allegations E, F and G). [redacted] alleged that PO Cappellano told him to get the "fuck" out of the car and to put his "fucking" phone away (Allegation H). Both [redacted] were told to exit the vehicle. While [redacted] alleged that PO Bianchini and Det. Wright searched the vehicle, [redacted] alleged that PO Cappellano and Det. Wright searched it (Allegations I, J and K). [redacted] also alleged that PO Bianchini frisked his front pants pockets (Allegation L). No contraband was found and no summonses or arrests resulted. [redacted] Read report for details.


Details

Incident: April 22, 2014
Received: May 21, 2014
Closed: January 8, 2015
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - auto
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 104th Precinct Queens
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime