Complaint #201508967,
October 12, 2015

Officer: Rivera, Christophe
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 37
Allegation: Offensive Language: Sexual orientation
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Recategorized as: Offensive Language: Other
Officer: Rivera, Christophe
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 37
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Other
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Rivera, Christophe
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 37
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Rivera, Christophe
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 37
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Rivera, Christophe
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 37
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Rivera, Christophe
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 37
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Other
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Rivera, Christophe Hispanic Male, 37 Offensive Language: Sexual orientation Unfounded
Recategorized as Offensive Language: Other on December 9, 2024
Rivera, Christophe Hispanic Male, 37 Abuse of Authority: Other Exonerated
Rivera, Christophe Hispanic Male, 37 Discourtesy: Word Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Rivera, Christophe Hispanic Male, 37 Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Exonerated
Rivera, Christophe Hispanic Male, 37 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Rivera, Christophe Hispanic Male, 37 Abuse of Authority: Other Substantiated (Command Discipline A)

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.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalty

Rivera, Christophe
Command Discipline - A

Summary

On October 12, 2015, at approximately 11:50 p.m., [redacted] was driving northbound on the West Side Highway in Manhattan where he was pulled over by PO Christopher Rivera of HWY 01. After PO Rivera's service lights were turned on, [redacted] turned his right signal light and merged into the right lane immediately. After driving for approximately 30 seconds, [redacted] took the West 79th Street exit in an attempt to find a safe place to pull over. [redacted] stopped the vehicle at the crosswalk at West 79th Street and Riverside Drive after PO Rivera directed [redacted] to stop at that location over the loudspeaker. PO Rivera approached [redacted] vehicle, requested [redacted] to produce his driver license and asked why [redacted] did not stop his vehicle immediately. [redacted] and PO Rivera argued about where [redacted] should have stopped his vehicle. PO Rivera alleged that [redacted] started to flex his muscles and get nervous [BR 05]. Thus, PO Rivera told [redacted] "I know you're getting stressed, buddy. Let's keep going, brother. So, you just step out, we'll go, ok?"(Allegation A) [NYPD 10]. PO Rivera also told [redacted] to "chill the fuck out" (Allegation B) [NYPD 10]. After that, [redacted] took his cell phone and began recording the conversation between him and PO Rivera [BR 02]. PO Rivera instructed [redacted] to step out of his vehicle and took [redacted] s cell phone out of his hands (Allegation C) [BR 08] [NYPD 10]. PO Rivera pressed some buttons on [redacted] s cell phone and tossed it into [redacted] s vehicle [NYPD 10] [BR 02] [BR 08].
After stepping out of the vehicle, [redacted] was instructed to stand in front of PO Rivera's vehicle so that he could be visible on PO Rivera's dashboard camera. While PO Rivera was speaking to [redacted], [redacted] attempted to flag down passing vehicles. In response to [redacted] s attempt to draw the attention of other motorists, PO Rivera said, "I'm tired of this shit," and placed one handcuff on [redacted] s hand (Allegations A and D) [NYPD 10]. After... Read report for details.


Details

Incident: October 12, 2015
Received: October 20, 2015
Closed: March 31, 2016
Last Updated: December 11, 2024

Reason for contact: Moving violation
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 20th Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: Moving violation summons issued

Video evidence collected