Complaint #201904881,
June 1, 2019

Officer: Pichardo, Elvin
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 21
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Marin, Diego
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 21
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Substantiated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Board Conclusion
Pichardo, Elvin Hispanic Male, 21 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Marin, Diego Hispanic Male, 21 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Exonerated
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Substantiated

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.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalty

Pichardo, Elvin
Command Discipline - A

Summary

On June 1, 2019, at approximately 7:00 p.m., [redacted] was driving eastbound on Grand Concourse in the vicinity of East 183rd Street in the Bronx. [redacted]'s vehicle was pulled over by Police Officer Nicholas Kourounis, Police Officer Diego Marin, and Sergeant Elvin Pichardo, all of the 46th Precinct. Sgt. Pichardo reached through [redacted]'s front passenger side window and unlocked the rear driver side door, and PO Marin searched [redacted]'s car (Allegations A and B – Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). [redacted] was issued a summons for [redacted].
Allegation A: Abuse of Authority – Sergeant Elvin Pichardo searched the vehicle in which [redacted] was an occupant. Allegation B: Abuse of Authority – Police Officer Diego Marin searched the vehicle in which [redacted] was an occupant. It is undisputed that [redacted]'s vehicle was pulled over for speeding.
PO Marin's BWC footage, beginning at the 00:33 media player timestamp, visible at the bottom of the screen, captures PO Marin and PO Korounis approaching the driver side of [redacted]'s car. PO Marin orders [redacted] to roll down his back window. [redacted] says it does not work. PO Marin orders [redacted] to unlock his car and open the back door. PO Kourounis asks [redacted] if there is anyone in the backseat because his tinted windows are too dark and says he cannot see into the back of the car. [redacted] says there is not. PO Kourounis orders [redacted] to unlock the door. [redacted] says the rear driver side window does not work and that PO Kourounis can see the rear area from [redacted]'s driver's window. PO Marin orders [redacted] to lower his window. At 01:09, Sgt. Pichardo leans against the front passenger door window frame and places his hands inside [redacted]'s car. The rear passenger window next to Sgt. Pichardo is completely lowered. Sgt. Pichardo reaches his right hand into the car and presses the unlock switch on the front passenger door. Sgt. Pichardo tells PO Marin that the door is unlocked. [redacted] asks Sgt. Pichardo if he just... Read report for details.


Details

Incident: June 1, 2019
Received: June 6, 2019
Closed: July 24, 2020

Reason for contact: Moving violation
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 46th Precinct Bronx
Outcome: Moving violation summons issued

Witness Officers: Nicholas Kourounis
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected
Video evidence collected