Complaint #201508347,
October 2, 2015

Officer: Morales, Mario
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 34
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Inoa, Santiago
Complainant: Black Male, 60
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 45-49
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Morales, Mario
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 34
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Lau, Edwin
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Morales, Mario
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 45-49
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 60-64
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer: Lau, Edwin
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Morales, Mario Hispanic Male, 34 Discourtesy: Word Unfounded
Inoa, Santiago Black Male, 60 Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Unsubstantiated
Unknown Officer Black Male, 45-49 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Unfounded
Morales, Mario Hispanic Male, 34 Force: Physical force Unfounded
Lau, Edwin Black Male, 45 Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Exonerated
Morales, Mario Black Male, 45 Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Exonerated
Unknown Officer Black Male, 45-49 Discourtesy: Word Unfounded
Unknown Officer Black Male, 60-64 Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Officer(s) Unidentified
Lau, Edwin Discourtesy: Word Unfounded

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.
'Officer(s) Unidentified': Unable to identify the officers who committed the alleged misconduct
'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

At approximately 5:00 a.m. on October 2, 2015, a group of homeless individuals was sleeping outside of the Harlem Choir Academy, a school located at the intersection of East 127th Street and Park Avenue, in Manhattan. The group included [redacted] and [redacted] as well as [redacted] and [redacted]. The homeless individuals were distributed into two groups, with one positioned near the corner, and another further along East 127th Street, in the middle of the block. They were approached by a group of Parks Department workers, led by [redacted] and three uniformed officers from the 25th Precinct: Sgt. Mario Morales, PO Santiago Inoa, and PO Edwin Lau. The Parks Department workers brought a garbage truck with them to the location. The operation was conducted at the direction of Sgt. Morales When the police officers and Parks workers arrived at the location, the homeless individuals were told that they had to leave the area. They were also told that any belongings left behind would be confiscated. The Parks employees then began to confiscate the homeless individuals' belongings before they had a chance to leave the area. Once taken, these belongings were thrown into the garbage truck and destroyed.
Several of the homeless individuals protested the actions of the officers and the Parks workers. [redacted] alleged that Sgt. Morales kicked him when he tried to place his belongings in a shopping cart (Allegation A). Multiple individuals also alleged that officers cursed at them, threatened to arrest them, and threatened to use force against them as they were gathering their belongings (Allegations B through H). [redacted] alleged that he asked several officers for their names, but received no response (Allegation I). Eventually, all of the homeless individuals left the location. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: October 2, 2015
Closed: July 26, 2016

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: School
In NYPD 25th Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Video evidence collected