Complaint #201705257,
June 21, 2017

Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 30-34
Allegation: Force: Hit against inanimate object
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 30-34
Allegation: Force: Handcuffs too tight
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer: Johnson, Michael
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 32
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Rosenberg, Michael
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 32
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Smith, Gregory
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 32
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Smith, Gregory
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 32
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 30-34
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Unknown Officer Hispanic Male, 30-34 Force: Hit against inanimate object Officer(s) Unidentified
Unknown Officer Hispanic Male, 30-34 Force: Handcuffs too tight Officer(s) Unidentified
Johnson, Michael Hispanic Male, 32 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Rosenberg, Michael Hispanic Male, 32 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Smith, Gregory Hispanic Male, 32 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Smith, Gregory Hispanic Male, 32 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated
Unknown Officer Hispanic Male, 30-34 Force: Physical force Officer(s) Unidentified

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.
'Officer(s) Unidentified': Unable to identify the officers who committed the alleged misconduct
'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 June 21, 2017, at approximately 6:25 a.m., [redacted] crashed his car on the Long Island Expressway just east of the Grand Central Parkway in Queens. [redacted]'s passenger, [redacted] fled the scene on foot. PO Gregory Smith, PO Michael Johnson, and PO Michael Rosenberg, all of Highway District 3, responded to the scene and questioned [redacted] about the crash, and he confirmed that he was driving the car. The officers noticed that [redacted] was sweating profusely, speaking incoherently, and had resting nystagmus (pupils bouncing back and forth). This led them to believe that [redacted] was under the influence of an illegal drug, possibly PCP. At this point, they decided that [redacted] would be placed under arrest for [redacted]. The officers asked [redacted] for his registration and proof of insurance, and [redacted] told them that this documentation was in his vehicle. The officers told [redacted] that they would retrieve this documentation themselves. [redacted] insisted on retrieving the documentation himself, and he entered the car and began removing bags of cocaine from the glove compartment and placing them in his pants. PO Smith, PO Johnson, and PO Rosenberg pulled [redacted]'s arms behind his back and handcuffed him against the passenger side of his vehicle while PO Smith stepped on [redacted]'s foot to prevent him from kicking his legs (Allegations A, B, and C). The officers then allegedly punched [redacted] in his ribs, elbowed him in his back, and kneed him in his sides (Allegation D). One officer allegedly grabbed the back of [redacted]'s head and collar and slammed his face against his windshield twice in rapid succession, [redacted]. The officers then allegedly attempted to sweep [redacted]'s feet out from underneath him and bend backwards (Allegation D cont'd). An officer then allegedly tightened [redacted]'s handcuffs (Allegation F). [redacted] was placed on a stretcher and transported to [redacted] where PO Smith allegedly said, "You're a piece of shit," "You're getting what you... Read report for details.


Details

Incident: June 21, 2017
Received: June 27, 2017
Closed: December 8, 2017

Reason for contact: Traffic accident
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 110th Precinct Queens
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Yavier Julio, Robert Matzelle, Albert Yannucciello, Daniel Ziegler
Video evidence collected