Complaint #201902915,
April 3, 2019

Officer: Vartanian, Justin
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25
Allegation: Force: Radio as club
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer: Salcedo, Hansel
Complainant: Black Male, 24
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Bonhomme, John
Complainant: Black Male, 24
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Bonhomme, John
Complainant: Black Male, 24
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Vartanian, Justin Hispanic Male, 25 Force: Radio as club Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Salcedo, Hansel Black Male, 24 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Bonhomme, John Black Male, 24 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Bonhomme, John Black Male, 24 Force: Physical force Unfounded

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.
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalty

Vartanian, Justin
Command Discipline - B

Summary

On April 3, 2019, at approximately 6:30 p.m. [redacted] and his friend [redacted] were on motorized bicycles outside of 22 Post Avenue in Manhattan. Patrolling nearby were PO Hansel Salcedo, PO John Bonhomme, Sgt. Zulfiqar Ahmed, all of the 34th Precinct anti-crime team, and PO Justin Vartanian, then of the 34th Precinct anti-crime team. PO Salcedo and PO Bonhomme took [redacted] to the ground (Allegation A- Force- Exonerated; Allegation B- Force- [redacted]). PO Bonhomme allegedly punched [redacted] in the face (Allegation C- Force- [redacted]).
As [redacted] was taken into custody, [redacted] drove away on his motorized bicycle. PO Vartanian ran after him, and when he could not catch up with him, threw his police radio at [redacted] which struck [redacted] in the forehead (Allegation D- Force- [redacted]). [redacted] drove to his girlfriend's house in the Bronx, from which he went to [redacted] Hospital. [redacted] was taken into custody from the hospital. Sgt. Ahmed did not activate his body-worn camera as a result of this incident (Allegation E- Other Misconduct).
[redacted] and [redacted] were arrested as a result of this incident. [redacted] was arrested for reckless endangerment, tampering with physical evidence, fleeing from an officer in a motor vehicle, obstructing governmental administration, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. [redacted] was arrested for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, not wearing a motorcycle helmet, and not registering a vehicle (Board Reviews 01 and 02). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: April 3, 2019
Received: April 4, 2019
Closed: March 26, 2020

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 34th Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Zulfiqar Ahmed
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected
Video evidence collected