Complaint #201902899,
March 26, 2019

Officer: Bentz, Paul
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 30
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Bentz, Paul
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 30
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Bentz, Paul Hispanic Female, 30 Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Unsubstantiated
Bentz, Paul Hispanic Female, 30 Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest 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 March 26, 2019, at approximately 6:30 p.m., [redacted] got into a dispute with her ex-husband, [redacted], regarding the custody of their children. [redacted] attempted to drive away from the scene, and an open door on his vehicle struck [redacted]. Police Officer Paul Bentz and Police Officer Jesse Bernstein from the 108th Precinct responded to the incident at 47-06 49th Street in Queens. [redacted] recounted the incident to PO Bentz. PO Bentz allegedly told [redacted] "We're going to go back and find the cameras. If you're lying, you're going to get arrested" (Allegation A: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). PO Bentz later allegedly told [redacted] that she would be arrested if she claimed on a Domestic Incident Report that Ruben Cruz struck her with his vehicle's door (Allegation B: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: March 26, 2019
Received: April 3, 2019
Closed: September 17, 2019

Reason for contact: C/V requested investigation of crime
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 108th Precinct Queens
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: Jesse Bernstein