Complaint #201708676,
September 21, 2017

Officer: Gaijindrah, Anthony
Complainant: Black Female, 29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Bonilla, Herbert
Complainant: Black Female, 29
Allegation: Force: Chokehold
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Bonilla, Herbert
Complainant: Black Female, 29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Bonilla, Herbert
Complainant: Black Female, 29
Allegation: Force: Restricted Breathing
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Merizaldesalcedo, Whitney
Complainant: Black Female, 29
Allegation: Force: Restricted Breathing
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Merizaldesalcedo, Whitney
Complainant: Black Female, 29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Gaijindrah, Anthony
Complainant: Black Female, 29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Merizaldesalcedo, Whitney
Complainant: Black Female, 29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Gaijindrah, Anthony Black Female, 29 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Bonilla, Herbert Black Female, 29 Force: Chokehold Unfounded
Bonilla, Herbert Black Female, 29 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Bonilla, Herbert Black Female, 29 Force: Restricted Breathing Unfounded
Merizaldesalcedo, Whitney Black Female, 29 Force: Restricted Breathing Unsubstantiated
Merizaldesalcedo, Whitney Black Female, 29 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Gaijindrah, Anthony Black Female, 29 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Merizaldesalcedo, Whitney Black Female, 29 Force: Physical force 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.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.
'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 September 21, 2017, at approximately 1:35 p.m., [redacted] was arrested for trespassing inside of 31 Fleet Walk in Brooklyn, by Sgt. Herbert Bonilla, PO Anthony Gaijindrah, and PO Whitney Merizalde, of PSA 3. Before being placed inside the police vehicle, Sgt. Bonilla grabbed [redacted] by the neck, restricting her breathing, and lifted her off of the ground (Allegations A and B: Force, [redacted]). The officers pushed her into the back of the police vehicle (Allegations C through E: Force, [redacted]). Sgt. Bonilla continued choking [redacted] (subsumed under Allegations A and B) and was punching [redacted] in the ribs, back, buttocks, and head (subsumed under Allegation C). While [redacted] was in the back seat of the police vehicle, PO Merizalde placed her hand over [redacted], restricting her breathing (Allegation F: Force, [redacted]). PO Alexander Malave and PO Matthew Vitale, of PSA 3, transported [redacted] back to the PSA 3 stationhouse. At the PSA 3 stationhouse, PO Gaijindrah pushed [redacted] to the ground in the cell, punched her in the face, and kicked her (Allegation G: Force, [redacted]). PO Malave punched [redacted] when she attempted to get off the ground (Allegation H: Force, [redacted]). [redacted] was transported to [redacted] from Brooklyn Central Booking. Video of this incident was received from NYCHA (Board Review 2-3). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: September 21, 2017
Received: October 19, 2017
Closed: March 12, 2019

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - bldg
Location: NYCHA
In NYPD 88th Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Alexander Malave, Matthew Vitale
Video evidence collected