Complaint #201406706,
July 3, 2014

Officer: Cruz, Tatiana
Complainant: Male, 25
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Cruz, Tatiana
Complainant: Male, 25
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Disposition: APU Guilty
Officer: Cruz, Tatiana
Complainant: Male, 25
Allegation: Force: Other blunt instrument as a club
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Cruz, Tatiana
Complainant: Male, 46
Allegation: Force: Nightstick as club (incl asp & baton)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Disposition: APU Not guilty
Officer: Madden, Daniel
Complainant: Male, 25
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Cruz, Tatiana
Complainant: Male, 25
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Cruz, Tatiana
Complainant: Male, 46
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Cruz, Tatiana
Complainant: Male, 46
Allegation: Force: Chokehold
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Cruz, Tatiana
Complainant: Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Disposition: APU Not guilty
Officer: Cruz, Tatiana
Complainant: Male, 46
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Cruz, Tatiana Male, 25 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Cruz, Tatiana Male, 25 Force: Pepper spray Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Disposition: APU Guilty
Cruz, Tatiana Male, 25 Force: Other blunt instrument as a club Unsubstantiated
Cruz, Tatiana Male, 46 Force: Nightstick as club (incl asp & baton) Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Disposition: APU Not guilty
Madden, Daniel Male, 25 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Cruz, Tatiana Male, 25 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated
Cruz, Tatiana Male, 46 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Unsubstantiated
Cruz, Tatiana Male, 46 Force: Chokehold Unsubstantiated
Cruz, Tatiana Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Disposition: APU Not guilty
Cruz, Tatiana Male, 46 Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest Substantiated (Charges)

Conclusion Meanings:

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

Cruz, Tatiana
Closed: Guilty after trial-PC Approved, September 13, 2016
Forfeit vacation 7 days

Summary

On July 3, 2014, at approximately 2:40 a.m., PO Tatiana Cruz and PO Daniel Madden of the 46th Precinct pulled over [redacted] and [redacted] in front of 1750 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx because [redacted] was allegedly driving without a seatbelt. PO Cruz allegedly spoke rudely to [redacted] and [redacted] (Allegation A). PO Cruz and PO Madden allegedly observed a gravity knife in the car. PO Cruz decided to arrest [redacted] and [redacted] for [redacted] knife (Allegations B and C). PO Cruz removed [redacted] from his car and frisked and searched him. PO Cruz bit [redacted]'s right arm because he allegedly tugged at her firearm (Allegation D). PO Madden punched [redacted] (Allegation E). PO Cruz allegedly struck [redacted] with handcuffs (Allegation F). [redacted] exited the car and videotaped the officers. The officers handcuffed [redacted] and placed him in the police van. PO Cruz allegedly struck [redacted]'s left wrist with an asp, breaking his watch. She also allegedly struck him about the body with her asp (Allegation G). PO Cruz allegedly took [redacted]'s phone and deleted the video (Allegation H). [redacted] complied with instructions to get on the ground, where PO Cruz handcuffed him. She then allegedly picked him up by his sweatshirt, choking him, before placing him in the van (Allegation I). PO Cruz pepper sprayed [redacted] and [redacted] in the van (Allegation J). They were transported to the 46th Precinct stationhouse, where they were each released with a desk appearance ticket for criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. [redacted] also received a summons for a seatbelt violation (arrest reports encl. 49-54; summons encl. 15; complaint encl. 6-8). A witness, [redacted] provided a video which is extremely dark and distant and which does not capture any sounds or images of the incident. [redacted] and [redacted] visited [redacted], where they were treated for bruising, swelling, concussion, and pepper spray exposure (encl. Privileged Folder). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: July 3, 2014
Received: July 7, 2014
Closed: June 25, 2015
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: Moving violation
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 46th Precinct Bronx
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Video evidence collected