Complaint #201411079,
October 29, 2014

Officer: Stefopoulos, Nikolaos
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Bruno, Victor
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer: Bruno, Victor
Complainant: White Male, 27
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer: Stefopoulos, Nikolaos
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Stefopoulos, Nikolaos
Complainant: White Male, 25
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Stefopoulos, Nikolaos White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Bruno, Victor White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Bruno, Victor White Male, 27 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Stefopoulos, Nikolaos White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Stefopoulos, Nikolaos White Male, 25 Abuse of Authority: Stop 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.
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalties

Bruno, Victor
Formalized Training

Stefopoulos, Nikolaos
Formalized Training

Summary

On October 29, 2014, at approximately 9:40 p.m., [redacted] picked up his friend, [redacted] and the two drove towards Pier 76, a restaurant located on 76 Bay Street in Staten Island. They parked approximately one block from the restaurant, near the intersection of Central Avenue and Slosson Terrace, exited [redacted] s car, and started walking up Central Avenue toward the restaurant. While [redacted] walked, his pants started to slide down his waist. [redacted] saw this, and offered [redacted] his belt. [redacted] took the belt from [redacted] s hand, and looped it through his waistband.
Moments later, [redacted] and [redacted] were approached by two police officers: Det. Nikolaus Stefopoulos, and Sgt. Victor Bruno. The officers asked for [redacted] and [redacted] s IDs, which they provided (Allegation A). Det. Stefopoulos frisked [redacted] (Allegation B), and then inserted his fingers into [redacted] s waistband (Allegation C). After searching all the way around [redacted] s waist, Det. Stefopoulos reached inside of [redacted] s pocket, removed his wallet, and searched through its contents (subsumed within Allegation C). Sgt. Bruno frisked [redacted] during that time (Allegation D), and subsequently reached into [redacted] s pocket, removed his wallet, and searched through its contents (Allegation E). No contraband was found on [redacted] or [redacted]. The officers returned both wallets, and [redacted] and [redacted] were released. No one was summonsed or arrested. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: October 29, 2014
Closed: June 3, 2015

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 120th Precinct Staten Island
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued