Complaint #201907390,
August 19, 2019

Officer: Espinal, Edwin
Complainant: Black Male, 35
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Grasser, Brandon
Complainant: Black Male, 35
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Espinal, Edwin
Complainant: Black Female, 37
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Grasser, Brandon
Complainant: Black Male, 42
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Espinal, Edwin
Complainant: Black Male, 35
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Interference with recording
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Formalized Training)
Officer: Grasser, Brandon
Complainant: Black Male, 42
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Espinal, Edwin Black Male, 35 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Exonerated
Grasser, Brandon Black Male, 35 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Exonerated
Espinal, Edwin Black Female, 37 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Exonerated
Grasser, Brandon Black Male, 42 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Exonerated
Espinal, Edwin Black Male, 35 Abuse of Authority: Interference with recording Substantiated (Formalized Training)
Grasser, Brandon Black Male, 42 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) 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.
'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

Espinal, Edwin
Formalized Training

Summary

On August 19, 2019, at approximately 7:01 p.m., [redacted] and [redacted] drove in the vicinity of Hollis Avenue and 200th Street in Queens. Sgt. Edwin Espinal, PO Brandon Grasser, and PO James Holder of the 103rd Precinct pulled them over for having a broken taillight. [redacted] recorded the officers with his cell phone. Sgt. Espinal told him to put his cell phone down (Allegation A: Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). PO Grasser asked [redacted] to exit the vehicle, frisked him, and allegedly searched him (Allegations B and C: Abuses of Authority: [redacted] 1). Sgt. Espinal asked [redacted] to exit the vehicle. [redacted] refused, and Sgt. Espinal called for backup. DTS Daniel Gukelberger, PO Brian Heisinger, and PO Kevin Nicoll of the 103rd Precinct responded.
[redacted]
Sgt. Espinal frisked [redacted] (Allegation D: Abuse of Authority: [redacted] and PO [redacted] Grasser frisked [redacted] (Allegation E: Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). Sgt. Espinal searched throughout the vehicle (Allegation F: Abuse of Authority: [redacted]), and then told [redacted] and [redacted] that they could leave without further incident.
[redacted] Read report for details.


Details

Incident: August 19, 2019
Received: August 20, 2019
Closed: December 2, 2020

Reason for contact: Other violation of VTL
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 113th Precinct Queens
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: James Holder
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected
Video evidence collected