Complaint #202003687,
May 30, 2020

Officer: Sommella, Nicholas
Complainant: White Male, 25-29
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Shih, Jewwei
Complainant: White Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Sommella, Nicholas
Complainant: White Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Question
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Sommella, Nicholas White Male, 25-29 Discourtesy: Word Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Shih, Jewwei White Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Unsubstantiated
Sommella, Nicholas White Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Question 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.
'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

Sommella, Nicholas
Command Discipline - A

Summary

On May 30, 2020, at approximately 7:15 p.m., [redacted] approached a barricade located at the intersection of [redacted] in Manhattan. PO Nicholas Sommella of the 111th Precinct asked [redacted] whether he lived on the block and asked him to provide identification (Allegation A: Abuse of Authority – [redacted] refused to provide his documentation. PO Sommella told [redacted] that if he did not provide documentation or state where he lived, [redacted] would have to "stand in the street all fucking night" (Allegation B: Discourtesy – [redacted] approached PO David Castellano of the 111th Precinct, they allegedly had a conversation in which [redacted] allegedly asked PO Castellano if he was going to beat him up. Sgt. Jewwei Shih of the 111th Precinct approached [redacted] and allegedly stated, "I will if I have to" (Allegation C: Abuse of Authority – [redacted]
[redacted] was not issued a summons nor was he arrested during the incident. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: May 30, 2020
Closed: January 21, 2022

Reason for contact: Other
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 13th Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: Clare Boyle, David Castellano, John Gavan, James Hu, Brian Jennings, Nicholas Kostas
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected