| Officer: | Stefopoulos, Nikolaos |
|---|---|
| Complainant: | White Male, 17 |
| Allegation: | Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search |
| CCRB Conclusion: | Exonerated |
| Officer: | Stefopoulos, Nikolaos |
| Complainant: | White Male, 17 |
| Allegation: | Discourtesy: Word |
| CCRB Conclusion: | Unsubstantiated |
| Officer: | Stefopoulos, Nikolaos |
| Complainant: | White Male, 17 |
| Allegation: | Force: Physical force |
| CCRB Conclusion: | Exonerated |
| Officer: | Unknown Officer |
| Complainant: | White Male, 15-17 |
| Allegation: | Force: Gun Pointed |
| CCRB Conclusion: | Exonerated |
| Officer: | Stefopoulos, Nikolaos |
| Complainant: | White Male, 17 |
| Allegation: | Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop |
| CCRB Conclusion: | Exonerated |
| Officer | Complainant | Allegation | CCRB Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stefopoulos, Nikolaos | White Male, 17 | Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search | Exonerated |
| Stefopoulos, Nikolaos | White Male, 17 | Discourtesy: Word | Unsubstantiated |
| Stefopoulos, Nikolaos | White Male, 17 | Force: Physical force | Exonerated |
| Unknown Officer | White Male, 15-17 | Force: Gun Pointed | Exonerated |
| Stefopoulos, Nikolaos | White Male, 17 | Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop | Exonerated |
Further details on conclusions.
On July 25, 2015, at approximately 11:30 p.m., [redacted] was driving on Arden Avenue in Staten Island with [redacted] in the front passenger's seat and individuals known only as Ari and Loddi in the back passengers' seats. [redacted] was driving to meet his girlfriend. Along the way, [redacted] cut off a driver (identified via the Event for this incident as an individual known only as [redacted]) and [redacted] began pursuing him. In the vicinity of [redacted] flashed his high beams at an unmarked police vehicle driven by Sgt. Nikolaos Stefopoulos, who then quickly made a U-turn and stopped [redacted]'s vehicle (Allegation A). Sgt. Stefopoulos then commanded the occupants of the vehicle to exit. Immediately after, Sgt. Stefopoulos, PO Lisa Fernandez, and PO Frank Maglio, approached the vehicle with their guns pointed (Allegation B). As [redacted] was exiting the vehicle, Sgt. Stefopoulos allegedly grabbed him by the arm and neck and threw him to the ground (Allegation C). [redacted] was then frisked and placed in handcuffs.
When [redacted] was thrown to the ground, his wallet fell out of his hands. After being handcuffed, [redacted] asked Sgt. Stefopoulos if he could pick up his wallet. In response, Sgt. Stefopoulos allegedly told [redacted] "Don't fucking worry about your wallet" (Allegation D). After all individuals were removed from the vehicle, Sgt. Stefopoulos proceeded to search the vehicle (Allegation E). After conducting an initial search, Sgt. Stefopoulos recovered marijuana in the back seat. Afterwards, Sgt. Stefopoulos informed the occupants that they had been stopped because of a report of a gun in the vehicle, made by [redacted] who had since left the scene. All four individuals were then taken to the 123rd Precinct stationhouse, issued summonses for marijuana possession, and released.
Read report for details.