Complaint #201703215,
April 25, 2017

Officer: Stefopoulos, Nikolaos
Complainant: White Male, 61
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Stefopoulos, Nikolaos
Complainant: White Male, 61
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Stefopoulos, Nikolaos
Complainant: White Male, 61
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Alarcon, Johnny
Complainant: White Male, 49
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Stefopoulos, Nikolaos White Male, 61 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Exonerated
Stefopoulos, Nikolaos White Male, 61 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Exonerated
Stefopoulos, Nikolaos White Male, 61 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Exonerated
Alarcon, Johnny White Male, 49 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) 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.

Further details on conclusions.


Summary

On April 25, 2017, at approximately 5:59 p.m., [redacted] was sitting inside his car that was parked in a no-standing zone at the corner of Seguine Avenue and Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island. While parked, [redacted]'s friend, [redacted] got into [redacted]'s car and sat in the passenger seat. Sgt. Nikolaos Stefopoulos, of Narcotics Boro Staten Island, then stopped [redacted]'s vehicle (Allegation A). PO Nicholas Guarino and PO Gregory Beach, of the 123rd Precinct, were also inside Sgt. Stefopoulos's vehicle as part of their new officer training. Sgt. Stefopoulos approached [redacted]'s driver's side while PO Guarino and PO Beach observed from the back. Sgt. Stefopoulos obtained [redacted]'s license and registration and then returned to his vehicle and called for an additional unit. PO Johnny Alarcon and PO Vincent Casaletto, also of the 123rd Precinct, arrived on the scene in their unmarked vehicle. Sgt. Stefopoulos then returned to [redacted]'s driver's side while PO Alarcon approached the passenger side. Sgt. Stefopoulos instructed [redacted] to step out of the vehicle while PO Alarcon instructed [redacted] to do so. Sgt. Stefopoulos handcuffed and searched [redacted] while PO Alarcon handcuffed and searched [redacted] (Allegations B and C). [redacted] and [redacted] were escorted to the rear of [redacted]'s vehicle. Sgt. Stefopoulos and PO Alarcon then searched [redacted]'s vehicle under Sgt. Stefopoulos's direction (Allegation D). Sgt. Stefopoulos recovered two prescription pills that belonged to [redacted] [redacted] and [redacted] were placed under arrest and charged with [redacted]. They were transported to the 123rd Precinct stationhouse and subsequently released with DATs. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: April 25, 2017
Received: April 26, 2017
Closed: November 15, 2017

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - auto
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 123rd Precinct Staten Island
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Gregory Beach, Vincent Casaletto, Nicholas Guarino, Jacqueline Rupelli