Complaint #201907293,
August 15, 2019

Officer: Messina, Christopher
Complainant: Black Male, 40-44
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer: Messina, Christopher
Complainant: Black Male, 40-44
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Zucker, Joshua
Complainant: Black Male, 40-44
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Zucker, Joshua
Complainant: Black Male, 40-44
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer: Nicolosi, John
Complainant: Black Male, 35-39
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Messina, Christopher
Complainant: Black Male, 40-44
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Messina, Christopher Black Male, 40-44 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Messina, Christopher Black Male, 40-44 Discourtesy: Word Exonerated
Zucker, Joshua Black Male, 40-44 Discourtesy: Word Exonerated
Zucker, Joshua Black Male, 40-44 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Nicolosi, John Black Male, 35-39 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Unsubstantiated
Messina, Christopher Black Male, 40-44 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Command Discipline B)

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.
'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.


Penalties

Zucker, Joshua
No Disciplinary Action-DUP
No penalty

Messina, Christopher
Closed: MOS Retired, February 11, 2022
APU Closed: MOS Retired

Summary

On August 15, 2019, at approximately 9:00 p.m., at 1058 Pacific Street in Brooklyn, Police Officer Christopher Messina and Police Officer Joshua Zucker, both of the 77th Precinct, approached [redacted] and [redacted] who were working on [redacted] Is truck on the street with [redacted] Is vehicle parked on the sidewalk next to it. After [redacted] stated that he did not have him identification on him and refused to provide his name, PO Messina told [redacted] "Put your fucking hands behind your back." (Allegation A: Discourtesy, [redacted] PO Zucker told [redacted] "Get the fuck off my arm" and "Shut the fuck up" (Allegation B: Discourtesy, [redacted]). PO Messina and PO Zucker grabbed [redacted] by his arms and attempted to pull them behind his back. PO Messina punched [redacted] in the head (Allegation C: Force, [redacted] PO Zucker then forcibly took [redacted] to the ground (Allegation D and E: Force, [redacted] was placed in handcuffs and taken back to the stationhouse by unidentified officers who responded to the incident as back up. PO Zucker searched the vehicle parked on the sidewalk under the supervision and instruction of Sergeant John Nicolosi of the 77th Precinct (Allegation F: Abuse of Authority, [redacted] was arrested as a result of this incident for [redacted]. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: August 15, 2019
Received: August 16, 2019
Closed: May 27, 2021
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - street
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 77th Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Nicholas Loweth
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected