Complaint #201405325,
May 24, 2014

Officer: Cawley, Liam
Complainant: Male, 47
Allegation: Force: Chokehold
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Cawley, Liam
Complainant: Male, 47
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Male, 47
Allegation: Discourtesy: Action
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Male, 47
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Male, 47
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Male, 47
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Male, 47
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Male, 47
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Cawley, Liam
Complainant: Male, 47
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Cawley, Liam Male, 47 Force: Chokehold Unfounded
Cawley, Liam Male, 47 Discourtesy: Word Unfounded
Rule, Ian Male, 47 Discourtesy: Action Unsubstantiated
Rule, Ian Male, 47 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated
Rule, Ian Male, 47 Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched Unsubstantiated
Rule, Ian Male, 47 Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched Exonerated
Rule, Ian Male, 47 Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched Complainant Uncooperative
Rule, Ian Male, 47 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Cawley, Liam Male, 47 Force: Physical force Exonerated

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

This complaint involves two separate incident dates involving [redacted] and Lt. Ian Rule and PO Liam Cawley.
On May 24, 2014, at approximately 11:44 p.m., [redacted] was standing near the Fat Cat Lounge, located at 7th Avenue and Christopher Street in Manhattan, when he observed an unidentified man drink from and place a bottle of alcohol on the ground. Shortly after, Lt. Rule and PO Cawley approached [redacted]. Lt. Rule asked [redacted] if he knew the other individual and allegedly told [redacted] "Let me see some fucking ID" (Allegation A). As [redacted] sifted through various business cards and papers to retrieve his identification, Lt. Rule allegedly slapped [redacted]'s hand upwards, causing the documents to fall onto the ground (Allegation B). [redacted] subsequently fled.
PO Cawley and Lt. Rule pursued [redacted] on foot, and in an attempt to bring [redacted] to the ground, PO Cawley allegedly placed his arms around [redacted]'s neck (Allegation C). PO Cawley and Lt. Rule then both brought [redacted] to the ground by his arms and legs (Allegations D and E) at Bleecker Street and Christopher Street. After being placed in handcuffs, [redacted] was patted down and searched by Lt. Rule and PO Cawley. After feeling a hard object on [redacted]'s knee, Lt. Rule allegedly pulled [redacted]'s pants down to reveal that the object was a metal knee brace (Allegation F). [redacted] was placed under arrest for [redacted].
After being transported to the 6th Precinct Stationhouse, Lt. Rule escorted [redacted] into a bathroom on the first floor of the stationhouse and strip-searched him (Allegation G). While being fingerprinted, [redacted] saw PO Cawley and accused him of placing him in a chokehold. PO Cawley allegedly replied, "Yeah, you're a big motherfucker. What did you expect me to do to take you down?" (Allegation H).
On July 19, 2014, at approximately 12:55 a.m., [redacted] was placed under arrest at Christopher Street and West Street by Lt. Rule and PO Cawley and was transported to the 6th Precinct... Read report for details.


Details

Incident: May 24, 2014
Received: May 27, 2014
Closed: September 16, 2015

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 6th Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Bridget Spillane, Joseph Tennariello