Complaint #202006351,
September 18, 2020

Officer: Vitale, Joseph
Complainant: White Female, 30-34
Allegation: Offensive Language: Other
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated
CCRB Board Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Board Conclusion
Vitale, Joseph White Female, 30-34 Offensive Language: Other Substantiated (Charges)
CCRB Investigator Recommendation: Unsubstantiated

Conclusion Meanings:

'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

Vitale, Joseph
Closed: Guilty after trial-PC Approved, February 15, 2024
APU Guilty
Forfeit vacation 20 days

Summary

At approximately 11:43 a.m., on September 18th, 2020, [redacted] was driving eastbound on Grand Central Parkway towards Flushing, Queens, with her girlfriend, [redacted] who was in the front passenger seat. As [redacted] merged into Grand Central Parkway's far left lane, she saw a marked white and blue NYPD four-door Sedan with turret lights merge behind her into the left lane.
Immediately after [redacted] first noticed the police vehicle, Police Officer Joseph Vitale of Highway 03, spoke over the vehicle's loudspeaker, but her car windows were closed, and she could not hear what he was saying. [redacted] then rolled down her window and heard Police Officer Vitale say approximately twice, "Pull to the right lane." [redacted] followed Police Officer Vitale's instructions. As the marked police vehicle passed [redacted] car, [redacted] allegedly heard Police Officer Vitale say over the police vehicle's loudspeaker, "You retard" (Allegation A - Offensive Language: Other, [redacted]). After the police vehicle passed her car, [redacted] noticed that it continued driving eastbound on Grand Central Parkway's far left lane. [redacted] was not summonsed or arrested during this incident. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: September 18, 2020
Closed: September 23, 2021
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: Other
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 115th Precinct Queens
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued