Complaint #201603474,
April 21, 2016

Officer: Hesterhagen, Robert
Complainant: White, 44
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Formalized Training)
Officer: Dicecco, Michael
Complainant: White, 44
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Dicecco, Michael
Complainant: White, 44
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Dicecco, Michael
Complainant: White, 44
Allegation: Offensive Language: Gender
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Dicecco, Michael
Complainant: White, 44
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Dicecco, Michael
Complainant: White, 44
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Dicecco, Michael
Complainant: White, 44
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Dicecco, Michael
Complainant: White, 44
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Leite, Gary
Complainant: White, 44
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Formalized Training)
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: White, 40-44
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Other
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Hesterhagen, Robert White, 44 Abuse of Authority: Stop Substantiated (Formalized Training)
Dicecco, Michael White, 44 Abuse of Authority: Stop Substantiated (Charges)
Dicecco, Michael White, 44 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Substantiated (Charges)
Dicecco, Michael White, 44 Offensive Language: Gender Substantiated (Charges)
Dicecco, Michael White, 44 Discourtesy: Word Substantiated (Charges)
Dicecco, Michael White, 44 Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Substantiated (Charges)
Dicecco, Michael White, 44 Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Substantiated (Charges)
Dicecco, Michael White, 44 Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched Substantiated (Charges)
Leite, Gary White, 44 Abuse of Authority: Stop Substantiated (Formalized Training)
Unknown Officer White, 40-44 Abuse of Authority: Other Officer(s) Unidentified

Conclusion Meanings:

'Officer(s) Unidentified': Unable to identify the officers who committed the alleged misconduct
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalties

Dicecco, Michael
Closed: Not guilty after trial-PC Approved, November 13, 2019
APU Not guilty

Leite, Gary
Formalized Training

Hesterhagen, Robert
Formalized Training

Summary

On April 21, 2016 at approximately 11:00 pm, while walking at the intersection of Heberton Avenue and Ann Street, in Staten Island, [redacted] was stopped by, Sgt. Michael Dicecco, PO Robert Hesterhagen, and PO Gary Leite, all of the 121st Precinct (Allegations A, B and C). [redacted] was approached and then asked to provide her identification, but one of the three officers took her purse which was on her arm and began to look through it (Allegation D). [redacted] was then searched, in that, Sgt. Dicecco began to look through her jacket and pants pockets (Allegation E). Sgt. Dicecco then pulled down [redacted] Is pants to the back of her knees exposing her under garments (Allegation F). Sgt. Dicecco then stated to [redacted] "Why you changed your name for? Why are you trying to be a woman? You are still a man. You are still a man." (Allegation G).
Sgt. Dicecco then stated "What is that panty for? What's that bulge for? Is that to hold your dick? Is that to hide your cock"? (Allegation H).
After a couple minutes, an officer told her she was free to go. [redacted] asked Sgt. Dicecco for his shield number, but he did not respond (Allegation I) and instead took out his handcuffs and clicked them in the direction of [redacted] (Allegation J). [redacted] then walked away, and the officers got back in their unmarked dark colored vehicle and drove away. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: April 21, 2016
Closed: September 20, 2016
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: Street/highway
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued