Complaint #201505026,
June 11, 2015

Officer: Rajan, John
Complainant: Black Male, 28
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Rajan, John
Complainant: Black Male, 28
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Vultaggio, Lorraine
Complainant: Black Male, 28
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Substantiated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Rajan, John
Complainant: Black Male, 28
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Vultaggio, Lorraine
Complainant: Male, 27
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Vultaggio, Lorraine
Complainant: Male, 27
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Substantiated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Rajan, John
Complainant: Black Male, 28
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Board Conclusion
Rajan, John Black Male, 28 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Substantiated (Charges)
Rajan, John Black Male, 28 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Substantiated (Charges)
Vultaggio, Lorraine Black Male, 28 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Exonerated
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Substantiated
Rajan, John Black Male, 28 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Substantiated (Charges)
Vultaggio, Lorraine Male, 27 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Unsubstantiated
Vultaggio, Lorraine Male, 27 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Exonerated
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Substantiated
Rajan, John Black Male, 28 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search 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.
'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

Rajan, John
Forfeit vacation 10 days
Closed: Resolved by plea, June 8, 2017
APU Guilty
Forfeit vacation 10 days

Summary

On June 11, 2015, at approximately 11:15am, [redacted] was was pulled over on the Grand Central Parkway entrance ramp, in the vicinity of Ditmars Boulevard in Queens, by Sgt. John Rajan and PO Lorraine Vultaggio of the 115th Precinct. Sgt. Rajan allegedly told [redacted] "If you keep talking to me like that, you're going to end up on the floor!"(Allegation A). Sgt. Rajan then instructed [redacted] to exit his vehicle before allegedly frisking him (Allegation B).
PO Vultaggio, who stood on the passenger side of the vehicle, allegedly frisked and searched [redacted] who was seated in the passenger seat (Allegations C and D). While [redacted] and [redacted] waited at the rear of the vehicle, Sgt. Rajan and PO Vultaggio allegedly searched [redacted] Is vehicle (Allegations E and F). Once the search was complete and the occupants were returned to the vehicle, Sgt. Rajan then allegedly opened the driver's side door and photographed the interior of [redacted] Is vehicle (Allegation G), after which point [redacted] was issued a summons for making an unsafe lane change. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: June 11, 2015
Received: June 19, 2015
Closed: October 7, 2015

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - auto
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 115th Precinct Queens
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Marianna Gentile, Brett Schantz
Video evidence collected