Complaint #201509022,
October 15, 2015

Officer: Campbell, Joseph
Complainant: Black Male, 49
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Meyers, Larry
Complainant: Black Male, 49
Allegation: Offensive Language: Ethnicity
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Recategorized as: Offensive Language: Other
Officer: Campbell, Joseph
Complainant: Black Male, 49
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Campbell, Joseph Black Male, 49 Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Unfounded
Meyers, Larry Black Male, 49 Offensive Language: Ethnicity Unsubstantiated
Recategorized as Offensive Language: Other on December 9, 2024
Campbell, Joseph Black Male, 49 Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest 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.
'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

On October 15, 2015, at approximately 4:50 PM [redacted] was playing a card game called Bezig with a group of 10-15 neighbors, outside on the sidewalk in front of [redacted] in Brooklyn. [redacted] observed two Police Officers, PO Joseph Campbell and PO David Vigilone of the 71st Precinct approach the building in response to a dispute call from one of the residents inside the apartment building. As PO Campbell and PO Vigilone began to leave the scene after speaking with the caller, they observed the group playing cards in the middle of the sidewalk. The two officers then approached the group.
PO Campbell asked the group to leave the scene because they were blocking pedestrian traffic. As the other individuals were leaving the area, [redacted] did not. PO Campbell asked [redacted] to leave. [redacted] refused to leave the scene, and PO Campbell asked [redacted] for his identification. [redacted] refused to provide his identification and asked PO Campbell for his name and badge number. [redacted] alleged that PO Campbell did not provide him with his name and badge number (Allegation A). PO Campbell then placed [redacted] under arrest for Obstructing Governmental Administration and Disorderly Conduct (Allegation B).
PO Campbell made a call over the radio for a supervisor to verify his arrest, and Sgt. Larry Meyers arrived on scene in a marked prisoner van to transport [redacted] to the 71st Precinct Stationhouse. While en route to the stationhouse, [redacted] said he was trying to explain to Sgt. Meyers that he believed his arrest was unlawful and PO Campbell violated his rights. [redacted] alleged that Sgt. Meyers told him, "You're under arrest, you have no rights. You're not an American, you don't have any rights" (Allegation C). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: October 15, 2015
Received: October 22, 2015
Closed: February 10, 2016
Last Updated: December 11, 2024

Reason for contact: Report-noise/disturbance
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 71st Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Arrest - OGA

Witness Officers: David Viglione