Complaint #201601353,
February 13, 2016

Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Black Male, 34
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Black Male, 34
Allegation: Force: Hit against inanimate object
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Tennariello, Joseph
Complainant: Black Male, 34
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Sikorski, Craig
Complainant: Black Male, 34
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Black Male, 34
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Sikorski, Craig
Complainant: Black Male, 34
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 30-34
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Property damaged
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Rule, Ian
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 36
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Rule, Ian Black Male, 34 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Exonerated
Rule, Ian Black Male, 34 Force: Hit against inanimate object Substantiated (Charges)
Tennariello, Joseph Black Male, 34 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Exonerated
Sikorski, Craig Black Male, 34 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Exonerated
Rule, Ian Black Male, 34 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Exonerated
Sikorski, Craig Black Male, 34 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Exonerated
Unknown Officer Black Male, 30-34 Abuse of Authority: Property damaged Unfounded
Rule, Ian Hispanic Female, 36 Abuse of Authority: Frisk 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.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalty

Rule, Ian
Closed: Not guilty after trial-PC Approved, December 7, 2017
APU Not guilty

Summary

On February 13, 2016, at approximately 12:55 a.m., [redacted] was driving east on West 4th Street between Jones Street and Cornelia Street in Manhattan. His friend, [redacted] was riding in the front passenger seat. At some point, [redacted] allegedly passed a vehicle on West 4th Street in an unsafe manner, before failing to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of West 4th Street and Cornelia Street. Lt. Ian Rule, PO Joseph Tennariello, and PO Craig Sikorski of the 6th Precinct stopped [redacted] vehicle in front of 144 West 4th Street (Allegation A). [redacted] argued with PO Tennariello, grew angry with [redacted] when she lowered her window, and allegedly refused to provide his license. PO Tennariello directed [redacted] to exit the vehicle and walk to the rear. PO Sikorski allegedly searched [redacted] (Allegation B). A physical struggle ensued and all three officers held [redacted] against the rear of the vehicle while handcuffing him. Once [redacted] was handcuffed, Lt. Rule allegedly grabbed his head, lifted it away from his vehicle, and pushed it back down such that the left side of [redacted] head struck his vehicle (Allegation C). PO Sikorski recovered marijuana from [redacted] person. All three officers searched [redacted] vehicle on scene, and PO Tennariello searched it again after driving it to the stationhouse (Allegations D, E, and F). Lt. Rule requested that a female officer respond to the scene, and this officer frisked [redacted] (Allegation G). [redacted] was transported to the 6th Precinct stationhouse and was released with a DAT. He later found that officers had allegedly ripped up the carpeting in the front of his vehicle (Allegation H).
[redacted] was charged on his arrest report with unlawful possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct, and failing to signal (BR01). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: February 13, 2016
Received: February 19, 2016
Closed: June 21, 2016
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: Moving violation
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 6th Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Video evidence collected