Complaint #201909568,
October 25, 2019

Officer: Gamez, Denis
Complainant: Black Male, 18-20
Allegation: Force: Nonlethal restraining device
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Vanbrakle, Miguel
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Grimm, Joseph
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Grimm, Joseph
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Fernandez, Delio
Complainant: White Male, 21-24
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Vanbrakle, Miguel
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 18-20
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Gamez, Denis
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 18-20
Allegation: Offensive Language: Gender
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Gamez, Denis
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 18-20
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Gamez, Denis Black Male, 18-20 Force: Nonlethal restraining device Substantiated (Charges)
Vanbrakle, Miguel Black Male, 25-29 Force: Pepper spray Unsubstantiated
Grimm, Joseph Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Exonerated
Grimm, Joseph Discourtesy: Word Exonerated
Fernandez, Delio White Male, 21-24 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Vanbrakle, Miguel Black Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Unknown Officer Black Male, 18-20 Force: Physical force Unsubstantiated
Gamez, Denis Hispanic Female, 18-20 Offensive Language: Gender Substantiated (Charges)
Gamez, Denis Hispanic Female, 18-20 Discourtesy: Word Substantiated (Command Discipline A)

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.


Penalty

Gamez, Denis
Forfeit vacation 20 days
Closed: Resolved by plea, June 25, 2024
APU Guilty
Forfeit vacation 20 days

Summary

On October 25, 2020, at approximately 1:04 a.m., Sergeant Michael Cozier, Police Officer Denis Gamez, Police Officer Delio Fernandez, Police Officer Miguel Vanbrakle, and Lieutenant Joseph Grimm, all of the 67th Precinct, responded to an unlicensed bottle club operating out of 834 Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn.
Regarding [redacted] PO Gamez said, "Grab that bitch. Yo, grab that bitch. You want me to grab this bitch?" and "She fucking hit Vanbrakle" (Allegation A: Offensive Language, [redacted]) (Allegation B: Discourtesy, [redacted]).
Lt. Grimm pointed his taser at unidentified individuals and said, "I will fucking tase you" (Allegation C: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]) (Allegation D: Discourtesy, [redacted]). PO Vanbrakle pepper sprayed [redacted] and took him to the ground (Allegation E: Force, [redacted]) (Allegation F: Force, [redacted]).
PO Fernandez allegedly pushed [redacted] out of the location and took him to the ground (Allegation G: Force, [redacted]). Simultaneously, officers took [redacted] to the ground and allegedly punched and kicked him (Allegation H: Force, [redacted]). While on the ground PO Gamez tased [redacted] (Allegation I: Force, [redacted]). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: October 25, 2019
Received: November 4, 2019
Closed: October 27, 2021
Last Updated: June 27, 2024

Reason for contact: Regulatory inspection
Location: Commercial building
In NYPD 67th Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Mansoor Ali, Devin Baker, Diana Carrillo, Ethan Chan, Alan Chau, Enoch Choi, Aleksandra Chorazewicz, Michael Cozier, Gary Dannunzio, Robert Felts, Osayande Grant, Matthew Kelly, Hans Lazo, John Malone, Ricardo Martinez, Fabian Modesto, Brandon Patane, Nickalai Pillai, Angel Pimentel, Vito Poliseno, Ronnie Rivera, Christine Roman, Elvia Romerojimenes, Nicholas Schiraldi, Nayef Shahib, Mdthowhed Talukder, Jacqueline Vista, Andrew Weiss, David Yusim
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected
Video evidence collected