Complaint #202100704,
January 18, 2021

Officer: Mercorio, Michael
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Mercorio, Michael
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Cheng, Brian
Complainant: Black Female, 55-59
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Chaudary, Meraj
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Mercorio, Michael
Complainant: Black Female, 55-59
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide shield number
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Venza, Jerome
Complainant: Black Female, 55-59
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide shield number
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Mercorio, Michael Black Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Substantiated (Charges)
Mercorio, Michael Black Male, 25-29 Discourtesy: Word Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Cheng, Brian Black Female, 55-59 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Chaudary, Meraj Black Male, 25-29 Discourtesy: Word Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Mercorio, Michael Black Female, 55-59 Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide shield number Unfounded
Venza, Jerome Black Female, 55-59 Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide shield number Unfounded

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.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalties

Mercorio, Michael
Forfeit vacation 5 days
Closed: Plea set aside, Without discipline, January 22, 2025
APU Dismissed

Chaudary, Meraj
Command Discipline - A
Command Discipline - A (Vacation: 0.25 days)

Summary

On January 18, 2021, at approximately 4:30 p.m., [redacted], [redacted]'s son, was arguing with his partner, [redacted], in front of [redacted] in Brooklyn. PO Michael Mercorio, PO Jerome Venza, PO John Felsberg, and PO Raul Avila of Police Service Area (PSA) 2 responded to the scene. The officers separated [redacted] and [redacted]. After PO Avila spoke to [redacted], the officers decided to arrest [redacted]. When the officers were handcuffing [redacted], [redacted] asked PO Mercorio and PO Venza for their shield numbers. PO Mercorio and PO Venza allegedly did not provide their shield numbers to [redacted] (Allegations A and B: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). [redacted] tried to comfort [redacted] by reaching over the accessibility ramp railing in front of the building. PO Brian Cheng of the 73rd Precinct went up the railing and pushed [redacted] by her shoulders, allegedly stepping on her foot (Allegation C: Force, [redacted]). [redacted] dropped his body to the ground while handcuffed. As officers lifted him up by his arms and legs, PO Mercorio raised his right fist and said, "I'll fucking knock your teeth out!" (Allegation D: Abuse of Authority, [redacted] and Allegation E: Discourtesy, [redacted]). PO Meraj Chaudary of the 73rd Precinct arrived to assist the officers. As the officers were placing [redacted] into a police vehicle for transport, PO Chaudary said, "Get in the fucking car!" (Allegation F: Discourtesy, [redacted]).
[redacted] was not arrested or issued a summons during the incident. [redacted] was arrested for endangering the welfare of a child and assault with intent to cause injury [Board Review 01]. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: January 18, 2021
Received: February 1, 2021
Closed: June 9, 2022
Last Updated: January 24, 2025

Reason for contact: Aided case
Location: NYCHA
In NYPD 73rd Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Jonathan Aquino, Taimoor Arif, Raul Avila, Sali Cerimi, Arundeep Chaggar, John Felsberg, Maher Kader, Nazmul Khan, Juan Lopez, Kyle Murcott
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected