Complaint #201807344,
August 1, 2018

Officer: Benzant, Luis
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Benzant, Luis
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Offensive Language: Race
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Recategorized as: Offensive Language: Other
Officer: Benzant, Luis
Complainant: Black Male, 45
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Seizure of property
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Benzant, Luis Black Male, 45 Discourtesy: Word Unsubstantiated
Benzant, Luis Black Male, 45 Offensive Language: Race Unsubstantiated
Recategorized as Offensive Language: Other on December 9, 2024
Benzant, Luis Black Male, 45 Abuse of Authority: Seizure of property 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.
'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 August 1, 2018, at approximately 2:00 p.m., [redacted] parked his vehicle on [redacted] PO Luis Benzant and PO Jessica Koehler, of the 105th Precinct, approached his vehicle and told [redacted] that they were going to tow his vehicle. PO Benzant called a rotation tow truck and towed [redacted]'s vehicle (Allegation A: Abuse of Authority: [redacted]).
On September 5, 2018, at approximately 12:00 a.m., [redacted] walked outside of his apartment at [redacted] and observed PO Benzant and PO Koehler, writing a ticket for a double-parked car. PO Benzant saw [redacted] and allegedly said, "What's up, my nigger, what's up my nigger" and "I'm the head nigger of this area. I run this shit." (Allegation B: Offensive Language: [redacted] (Allegation C: Discourtesy: [redacted]). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: August 1, 2018
Received: September 5, 2018
Closed: April 24, 2019
Last Updated: December 11, 2024

Reason for contact: Other
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 105th Precinct Queens
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: Jessica Koehler
Video evidence collected