Stephen I. Espinoza

Former Captain at Emergency Services Unit
Service started March 2000, ended June 2022, Tax #925246
Hispanic Male

Substantiated Allegations:
Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
Discourtesy: Word

Discipline Cases:

Case: 2014-11567
Closed: 2/19/2015

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Lawsuit settlements:
$22,500   Gibbs, Scott vs City of New York, et al., 2014 EDNY EDNY 13CV07314
$100,000   Gilmore, Ron Dante vs City of New York, et al., 2014 EDNY EDNY 14CV00252
$7,000   Townsend v. The City of New York et al, EDNY EDNY 15CV05457
$24,500   Hoover et al v. The City of New York et al, EDNY EDNY 15CV05838
View Details

Complaints

13 Complaints
27 Allegations
2 Substantiated
2 Substantiated (Charges)
1 Alleged Victim Uncooperative
6 Complainant Uncooperative
9 Exonerated
9 Unsubstantiated

Complaint #201910287, November 2019
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Forcible Removal to Hospital
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #201402115, February 2014
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #201307050, March 2013
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Conclusion: APU Guilty
APU Case Status: Closed: Guilty after trial, February 2016
Penalty: Forfeit vacation 7 days
additional details

Complaint #201211277, August 2012
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Male, 14
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
Complainant: Male, 14
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Male, 14
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #201107947, June 2011
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 15
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 45
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 45
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 17
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 17
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 45
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200907076, May 2009
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Question
Complainant: Black Male, 32
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Black Male, 32
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #200700975, January 2007
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Male
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #200607384, May 2006
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Question and/or stop
Complainant: Black Male, 43
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 43
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200603830, March 2006
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 29
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
Complainant: Black Male, 29
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #200509221, August 2005
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to process civilian complaint
Complainant: Black Female
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #200305392, June 2003
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 66
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Conclusion: Plead Guilty - DCT
Penalty: Vacation: 2 days
additional details

Complaint #200301786, March 2003
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 23
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
Complainant: Black Female, 41
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment
Complainant: Black Male, 23
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #200300724, January 2003
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory summons
Complainant: Black Male, 21
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Black Male, 21
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #201910287, November 2019
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Forcible Removal to Hospital Hispanic Female, 30-34 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises Hispanic Female, 30-34 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #201402115, February 2014
Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #201307050, March 2013
Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Conclusion: APU Guilty
APU Case Status: Closed: Guilty after trial, February 2016
Penalty: Forfeit vacation 7 days
additional details
Complaint #201211277, August 2012
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Discourtesy: Word Male, 14 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Male, 14 Unsubstantiated
Force: Physical force Male, 14 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #201107947, June 2011
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Hispanic Male, 15 Unsubstantiated
Discourtesy: Word Hispanic Male, 45 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Hispanic Male, 45 Exonerated
Discourtesy: Word Hispanic Male, 17 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Stop Hispanic Male, 17 Exonerated
Force: Physical force Hispanic Male, 45 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200907076, May 2009
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Question Black Male, 32 Complainant Uncooperative
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Black Male, 32 Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #200700975, January 2007
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Male Alleged Victim Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #200607384, May 2006
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Question and/or stop Black Male, 43 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 43 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200603830, March 2006
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 29 Complainant Uncooperative
Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Black Male, 29 Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #200509221, August 2005
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to process civilian complaint Black Female Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #200305392, June 2003
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Discourtesy: Word Hispanic Male, 66 Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Conclusion: Plead Guilty - DCT
Penalty: Vacation: 2 days
additional details
Complaint #200301786, March 2003
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 23 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Black Female, 41 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment Black Male, 23 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #200300724, January 2003
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory summons Black Male, 21 Complainant Uncooperative
Discourtesy: Word Black Male, 21 Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Conclusion Meanings:

'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - the alleged conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Substantiated': The alleged conduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - CCRB has fully investigated but could not affirmatively conclude both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.

Further details on conclusion definitions.


Discipline

Case: 2014-11567
Closed: 2/19/2015
Case Details:
  1. Guilty: While on-duty, wrongfully entered an apartment without sufficient legal authority.
Penalty: Vacation days (7 days)


Lawsuits

Named in 4 known lawsuits, $154,000 total settlements.

Gibbs, Scott vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV07314, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, June 27, 2014, ended April 8, 2016
$22,500 Settlement
Complaint, Amended Complaint
Description: On March 2, 2013 P.O.s Jonas Bazile, Stephen Espinoza, and Matthew Zito illegally trespassed, searched, invaded 1313 Sterling Place Brooklyn, where Scott Gibbs was staying. They illegally detained him here during this illegal search and used excessive force on Gibbs that caused him to sustain severe injuries and fear for his life.

Gilmore, Ron Dante vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV00252, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, June 24, 2014, ended May 27, 2016
$100,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On January 13, 2013, plaintiff was arrested in his residence in Brooklyn after officers illegally entered. Defendants violated plaintiff's domicile and intentionally inflicted emotional distress unto him.

Townsend v. The City of New York et al
Case # 15CV05457, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$7,000 Settlement
Complaint, Amended Complaint
Description: First incident: Plaintiff was falsely searched, arrested, and charged with 140.25 'Burglary in the second degree' by Officer De Los Santos. Charge later dismissed. On a separate occasion Officer Massa forcefully entered a residence where plaintiff was a guest, arrested Plaintiff, and charged her with 265.03(1)(b) 'Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree', which was later dismissed. On another occasion, Officer Saitta forcefully entered a residence where plaintiff was a guest, arrested Plaintiff, and charged her with unspecified charges.

Hoover et al v. The City of New York et al
Case # 15CV05838, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$24,500 Settlement
Amended Complaint
Description: First incident: Defendant Officers arrested Plaintiff at his home, brought him to the 79th Precinct, and charged with PL 221.05 'Unlawful possession of marihuana' and AC 10- 131(i)(3) 'Possession of Pistol Ammunition'. Charges ACD'd. On a separate occasion, Defendant Officers arrested Plaintiffs at their home, brought them to the 81st Precinct, and charged with PL 221.05'Unlawful possession of marihuana'.

Other Documents