Complaint #201704295,
May 23, 2017

Officer: Farrell, Michael
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Welch, Christopher
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Other
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Castellano, Rene
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Castellano, Rene
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Villalona, Alejandro
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Villalona, Alejandro
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Force: Other
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Villalona, Alejandro
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Villalona, Alejandro
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Force: Chokehold
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Ward, Allan
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Other
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Farrell, Michael
Complainant: Black Male, 29
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Farrell, Michael Black Male, 29 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Welch, Christopher Black Male, 29 Abuse of Authority: Other Exonerated
Castellano, Rene Black Male, 29 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated
Castellano, Rene Black Male, 29 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Villalona, Alejandro Black Male, 29 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated
Villalona, Alejandro Black Male, 29 Force: Other Unsubstantiated
Villalona, Alejandro Black Male, 29 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Villalona, Alejandro Black Male, 29 Force: Chokehold Unsubstantiated
Ward, Allan Black Male, 29 Abuse of Authority: Other Unsubstantiated
Farrell, Michael Black Male, 29 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated

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.
'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 May 23, 2017 at 3:00 p.m., Sgt. Alexandru Anghel and PO Allen Ward of Brooklyn North Narcotics conducted a tactical meeting for the execution of a search warrant at [redacted] in Brooklyn, a suspected drug trafficking location, for the search of narcotics and [redacted]. He instructed officers to go to the park to apprehend [redacted] (Allegation A). Det. Christopher Welch, PO Cameel Quallis and Detective John Paul Catano of Brooklyn Narcotics North then proceeded to the park and Det. Welch arrested [redacted] (Allegation B). [redacted] was then taken out of the park by Det. Welch and PO Michael Farrell of Brooklyn Narcotics North, and escorted to a black van, driven by PO Alejandro Villalona and PO Rene Castellano of Brooklyn Narcotics North. [redacted] refused to get in the van, and in the response, PO Villalona allegedly slammed [redacted] against the side of the van (Allegation C). PO Villalona, PO Castellano, and PO Farrell then allegedly said, "Motherfucker, get in the car. Get in the fucking car!" (Allegations D, E, and F). PO Farrell then allegedly began punching [redacted] in the face and neck (Allegation G). PO Castellano also allegedly grabbed [redacted] (Allegation H). [redacted] was moving his body to avoid the punches, and in response, PO Villalona purportedly began to choke [redacted] restricting his breathing (Allegations I and J). [redacted] became dizzy and fell in the van, during which time PO Castellano got in and allegedly continued to hit him (also Allegation H). [redacted] was subsequently taken the stationhouse where his arrest was later voided.
Video footage was provided by [redacted] from a cellphone camera of an unknown witness. The video is not time-stamped, but does contain sound. The video shows [redacted] with officers, waiting on the corner of Halsey and Wilson Street for transport. The video ends prior to the arrival of the black van. It does not capture the allegations herein and so was not used in the analysis of the recommended dispositions (Board Review #1).
The... Read report for details.


Details

Incident: May 23, 2017
Received: May 30, 2017
Closed: January 16, 2018

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: Park
In NYPD 83rd Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: Robert Alimena, Alexandru Anghel, Johnpaul Catano, Vincent Demarino, Daniel Molinski, Benjamin Perez, Cameel Quallis, John Sullivan
Video evidence collected