Complaint #201904045,
May 2, 2019

Officer: Counihan, Steven
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 26
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Counihan, Steven
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 26
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Property damaged
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer: Counihan, Steven
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 26
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Counihan, Steven Hispanic Male, 26 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Exonerated
Counihan, Steven Hispanic Male, 26 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Unknown Officer Hispanic Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Property damaged Officer(s) Unidentified
Counihan, Steven Hispanic Male, 26 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop 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.
'Officer(s) Unidentified': Unable to identify the officers who committed the alleged misconduct

Further details on conclusions.


Summary

On May 2, 2019, at approximately 4:48 p.m., [redacted] was pulled over by Sgt. Steven Counihan and PO Pedro Silverio from PSA 7 in front of 745 East 152nd Street in the Bronx (Allegation A, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). Sgt. Counihan repeatedly asked [redacted] for his driver's license, registration and insurance information and [redacted] refused to provide the information. While attempting to handcuff [redacted], Sgt. Counihan allegedly hit [redacted] in the lip with an unknown body part, causing an injury to his lip. (Allegation B, Force: [redacted]). Sgt. Counihan told [redacted], "Get off the phone or I'm taking you out of the car," and "Give me your license and registration or I'm taking you out of the car." He also stated, "Step out of the car or you're gonna get tased" (Allegation C, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). [redacted] was ultimately arrested for Obstruction of Governmental Administration as a result of this incident (Board Review 09). PO Fatmir Gjonbalaj drove [redacted]'s car to the stationhouse, and [redacted] noticed that his car had scrapes to his back brake light and front left light, and that his emergency brake was bent (Allegation D, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: May 2, 2019
Received: May 10, 2019
Closed: March 26, 2020

Reason for contact: Other violation of VTL
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 40th Precinct Bronx
Outcome: Arrest - OGA

Witness Officers: Fatmir Gjonbalaj, Joseph Martinez, Heidi Morillotorres, Lauren Pando, Pedro Silverio
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected