Complaint #202200788,
June 2, 2020

Officer: Palumbo, James
Complainant: Black Male, 21-24
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Palumbo, James Black Male, 21-24 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Charges)

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

Palumbo, James
Closed: Not guilty after trial-PC Approved, July 10, 2023
APU Not guilty

Summary

On June 2, 2020, at approximately 10:15 p.m., multiple officers including PO Brian Mejia-Morel of the 67th Precinct and PO Giancarlo Proietti of the 60th Precinct engaged in a foot pursuit and subsequent arrest of [redacted] during a public demonstration against police brutality taking place at 4th Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street in Brooklyn. Insp. James Palumbo and PO Phu Tran, both of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, approached the arrest scene. Insp. Palumbo stomped his foot on [redacted]'s upper body multiple times, including on his head (Allegation A: Force, [redacted]).
[redacted] as noted in arrest report [redacted] was arrested for [redacted] (BR 01).
Due to the media coverage this incident received in the New York Times, this case was added to the agency's Sensitive Case List. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: June 2, 2020
Closed: April 14, 2022
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: Demonstration/protest
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 78th Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: James Hepworth, Ira Jablonsky, Michael Kolnberger, Brian Mejiamorel, Giancarlo Proietti, Phu Tran
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected
Video evidence collected