Complaint #202401453,
February 10, 2024

Officer: Coffaro, Matthew
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Officer: Coffaro, Matthew
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Officer: Coffaro, Matthew
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Coffaro, Matthew
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Coffaro, Matthew
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Unlawful Summons
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Flash, Kevin
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Officer: Coffaro, Matthew
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Coffaro, Matthew Black Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force Within NYPD Guidelines
Coffaro, Matthew Black Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Within NYPD Guidelines
Coffaro, Matthew Black Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Frisk Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Coffaro, Matthew Black Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Coffaro, Matthew Black Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Unlawful Summons Substantiated (Charges)
Flash, Kevin Black Male, 25-29 Force: Physical force Within NYPD Guidelines
Coffaro, Matthew Black Male, 25-29 Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest 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.
'Within NYPD Guidelines': The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalty

Coffaro, Matthew
Closed: MOS Resigned, June 24, 2025
APU Closed: MOS Resigned

Summary

On February 10, 2024, at approximately 1:50 a.m., [redacted] and three friends were driving in a rental vehicle, when their vehicle was pulled over by Police Officer Matthew Coffaro (Allegation A: Abuse of Authority, Within NYPD Guidelines), and several other officers of the Brooklyn South Specialized Unit Community Response Team ("BSSU CRT"), in two unmarked RMPs, near the intersection of Nostrand Avenue and Farragut Road in Brooklyn. PO Coffaro and the other officers approached, requested [redacted] and the other occupants' identifications, and [redacted] asked why the officers stopped their vehicle. After not receiving a response, [redacted] repeated his question several additional times, and PO Coffaro and Police Officer Kevin Flash opened the rear door, grabbed [redacted] and pulled him out of the vehicle (Allegations B and C: Force, Within NYPD Guidelines). PO Coffaro handcuffed [redacted] threatened to arrest him (Allegation D: Abuse of Authority, Substantiated) and then frisked and searched him (Allegations E and F: Abuse of Authority, Substantiated). After discussing the interaction, PO Coffaro removed [redacted] handcuffs, escorted him back to the vehicle, and issued him Criminal Summons (BR01) for disorderly conduct (Allegation G: Abuse of Authority, Substantiated). None of the other occupants of the vehicle were arrested or issued any summonses as a result. Read report for details.


Details

Incident: February 10, 2024
Received: February 12, 2024
Closed: June 17, 2025
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - auto
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 70th Precinct Brooklyn
Outcome: Summons - disorderly conduct

Witness Officers: Ahmed Ali, Carlo Cassata, Stanislav Kushnir, Rosarion Saintelme
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected
Video evidence collected