Complaint #201802476,
March 22, 2018

Officer: Rodriguez, Paul
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 29
Allegation: Force: Restricted Breathing
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Powell, Dwight
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Rodriguez, Paul
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 29
Allegation: Force: Chokehold
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Rodriguez, Paul Hispanic Male, 29 Force: Restricted Breathing Substantiated (Charges)
Powell, Dwight Hispanic Male, 29 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Rodriguez, Paul Hispanic Male, 29 Force: Chokehold Substantiated (Charges)
Unknown Officer Hispanic Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force 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.
'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.


Penalty

Rodriguez, Paul
Closed: Not guilty after trial-PC Approved, February 22, 2021
APU Not guilty

Summary

On March 22, 2018, at approximately 7:19 PM, [redacted] was running down 160th Street, fleeing from Police Officer Paul Rodriguez, Police Officer Dwight Powell, and Police Officer Christopher Ferrer, all of the 33rd Precinct. [redacted] hopped over a fence in front of 546 West 160th Street. PO Rodriguez entered through the gate after [redacted] attempted to hop back over the fence, and PO Rodriguez hooked both of his arms around [redacted]'s throat, restricting his breathing (Allegation A: Force, [redacted]; Allegation B: Force, [redacted]). PO Rodriguez and [redacted] then fell to the ground. PO Powell placed his knee on [redacted]'s back (Allegation C: Force, [redacted]), and an officer allegedly punched [redacted] (Allegation D: Force, [redacted]). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: March 22, 2018
Received: March 29, 2018
Closed: August 20, 2019
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: C/V intervened on behalf of/observed encounter w/3rd party
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 33rd Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Jeffrey Balzotti, Christophe Ferrer
Video evidence collected