Complaint #202309830,
October 18, 2023

Officer: Abate, Joseph
Complainant: White Male, 30-34
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer: Mcknight, William
Complainant: White Male, 30-34
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer: Hopkins, Diane
Complainant: White Male, 30-34
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer: Abate, Joseph
Complainant: White Male, 30-34
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Abate, Joseph White Male, 30-34 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Mcknight, William White Male, 30-34 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Hopkins, Diane White Male, 30-34 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Abate, Joseph White Male, 30-34 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Command Discipline B)

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.


Penalties

Abate, Joseph
Closed: Retained, without discipline, April 22, 2025
APU Closed: Retained, without discipline

Hopkins, Diane
No Disciplinary Action-DUP
No penalty

Mcknight, William
No Disciplinary Action-DUP
No penalty

Summary

At approximately 6:55 AM on October 18, 2023, in the vicinity of 513 Bergen Street in Brooklyn, [redacted] was riding a bicycle when he saw Sgt. Williams McKnight of the 78th Precinct, operating his personal vehicle, reversing to park on a sidewalk near the 78th Precinct stationhouse. [redacted] rode behind Sgt. McKnight's vehicle, dismounted his bicycle, and stepped onto the sidewalk behind Sgt. McKnight's to prevent Sgt. McKnight from parking on the sidewalk. PO Diane Hopkins of the 78th Precinct approached [redacted] and attempted to pull his bicycle away from him (Allegation A: Force, Substantiated). PO Joseph Abate and PO John Padormo then also arrived on scene. Sgt. McKnight, the driver of the vehicle, said to [redacted] "I should have just not stopped. That would have ruined your day" (Allegation B: Abuse of Authority, Substantiated). PO Abate then attempted to pull [redacted] bicycle away from him and pushed and pulled [redacted] from where he stood so that Sgt. McKnight could park (Allegations C and D: Force, Substantiated). There is no summons or arrest associated with this incident. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: October 18, 2023
Closed: March 31, 2025
Last Updated: June 13, 2025

Reason for contact: Parking violation
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 78th Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: No arrest made or summons issued

Witness Officers: John Padormo
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected
Video evidence collected