Complaint #202103776,
June 23, 2021

Officer: Lee, James
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 50-54
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Lee, James
Complainant: Male
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Lee, James
Complainant: Male
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Lee, James
Complainant: Male
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Photography/Videography
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Lee, James
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 50-54
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Photography/Videography
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Lee, James Hispanic Male, 50-54 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Unfounded
Lee, James Male Abuse of Authority: Stop Unfounded
Lee, James Male Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name Unfounded
Lee, James Male Abuse of Authority: Photography/Videography Substantiated (Charges)
Lee, James Hispanic Male, 50-54 Abuse of Authority: Photography/Videography Substantiated (Charges)

Conclusion Meanings:

'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.


Penalty

Lee, James
Closed: Guilty after trial-PC Approved, August 23, 2024
APU Guilty
Forfeit vacation 20 days

Summary

On June 23, 2021, at 2:50 PM, [redacted] was participating in a protest at Bryant Park in Manhattan when he observed two unidentified male individuals approach a police van which was located at the northwest corner of 41st Street and 6th Avenue. Lieutenant James Lee of Patrol Borough Manhattan South (PBMS) was sitting in the front passenger seat of the police van. The male individuals asked Lt. Lee for his name, and he allegedly refused to provide it to them (Allegation A – Abuse of Authority - [redacted]). Lt. Lee allegedly ordered additional officers to surround and stop the male individuals (Allegation B – Abuse of Authority [redacted]). Lt. Lee recorded the male individuals and [redacted] on his personal cell phone (Allegations C and D - Abuse of Authority - [redacted]). Lt. Lee allegedly frisked [redacted] (Allegation E – Abuse of Authority - [redacted]).
There was no arrest made or summons issued as a result of this incident. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: June 23, 2021
Received: June 24, 2021
Closed: September 7, 2022
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

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

Witness Officers: Michael Brenner, Brendan Gould, Marcus Jenkins, Shu Li, Wilfredo Rivera
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected
Video evidence collected