Complaint #201901338,
February 4, 2019

Officer: Sommer, William
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Sommer, William
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Ramdeen, Kieron
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Dauge, Vincent
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Sommer, William
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Sommer, William
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Sommer, William Hispanic Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Unsubstantiated
Sommer, William Hispanic Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Ramdeen, Kieron Hispanic Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Dauge, Vincent Hispanic Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Sommer, William Hispanic Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Sommer, William Hispanic Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment Unsubstantiated
Unknown Officer Hispanic Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force 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 February 4, 2019, at approximately 8:30 p.m., in the vicinity of [redacted] in Manhattan, Detective Vincent Dauge, Sergeant William Sommer, and Detective Kieron Ramdeen, each of the NYPD's Drug Enforcement Task Force, executed an operation with members of the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the New York State Police. [redacted] the officers asked [redacted] and a second individual, [redacted] to exit the vehicle. After [redacted] exited the vehicle, he attempted to flee, and in response, Det. Dauge and Sgt. Sommer pursued [redacted] and forcibly took him to the ground (Allegations A and B: Force - Physical force, [redacted]). While he was on the ground, Sgt. Sommer allegedly struck [redacted] at the left cheek with his knee and Det. Ramdeen allegedly kicked him in the back (Allegations C and D: Force – Physical force: [redacted]). In addition, other officers participated in "beating" [redacted] (Allegation E: Force – Physical force, officer(s) unidentified).
Ultimately, [redacted] and [redacted] were arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell (Board Review 01) (Board Review 02). [redacted] was transported to what he identified as the Manhattan DA's office, located at 1 Hogan Place in Manhattan, and in route he asked Sgt. Sommer for medical attention, and, Sgt. Sommer told him that he would get medical attention a Manhattan Central Bookings (Allegation F: Abuse of Authority - refusal to provide medical attention, [redacted]).
Later, while he was in a holding cell at the Manhattan DA's office, Sgt. Sommer allegedly told [redacted] "If you make any report, we can disappear you, just like that" (Allegation G: Abuse of Authority – Threat of force: [redacted]). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: February 4, 2019
Received: February 11, 2019
Closed: May 26, 2021

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - auto
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 17th Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Jerome Arico, Dustin Genco