Complaint #202002039,
February 27, 2020

Summary

On February 27, 2020 [redacted] double-parked his vehicle on West 25th Street in Manhattan with his friend, [redacted] in the passenger seat. Police Officer James Sullivan and Police Officer Brian Melendez of the 10th Precinct approached [redacted] vehicle and asked him and [redacted] to exit. [redacted] began recording a video on his cell phone, which he propped up in the cupholder in the center console. [redacted] and [redacted] exited the vehicle. Police Officer Sullivan said he smelled marijuana and began searching the vehicle (Allegation A: Abuse of Authority - Vehicle search, [redacted]). During the search, Police Officer Sullivan grabbed [redacted] phone from the cupholder and stopped the video recording (Allegation B: Abuse of Authority – Interference with recording, [redacted]). Police Officer Sullivan allegedly found marijuana inside the vehicle, which [redacted] and [redacted] disputed. Police Officer Sullivan told [redacted] and [redacted] "It's all in between the seats you morons" (Allegation C and D: Discourtesy - Word, [redacted]). [redacted] approached Police Officer Sullivan to see what he found, and Police Officer Sullivan pushed him (Allegation E: Force – Physical Force, [redacted]). Police Officer Sullivan continued his search of the vehicle, during which he allegedly damaged the glove compartment (Allegation F: Abuse of Authority - Property damage, [redacted]). [redacted] and [redacted] each received a C-Summons for unlawful possession of marijuana and [redacted] received a A-Summons for double-parking (BR 03). Read report for details.