John S. Costin

John S. Costin

John S. Costin
Former Lieutenant Commander Detective at Narcotics Borough Brooklyn North
Also served at 114th Precinct, 40th Precinct
Service started August 1993, ended June 2022, Tax #903693
White Male

Lawsuit settlements:
$15,000   Short, Latik vs City of New York, et al., 2018 KCSC KCSC 519260/2018
$18,000   Legrand, Vanardi vs P.O. Costin, John, et al., 2015 EDNY EDNY 15CV02906
$25,000   Greaves, Kirk vs City of New York, et al., 2014 EDNY EDNY 14CV01377
$27,500   Legrand, Laverson vs Police Officer Costin, John, et al., 2014 EDNY EDNY 14CV00348
$10,000   Rivera, Santo vs City of New York, et al., 2013 KCSC KCSC 503088/2013
$8,500   Durant, Anna vs City of New York, et al., 2013 EDNY EDNY 13CV01973
$8,500   Foy, Khadidja vs City of New York, et al., 2013 EDNY EDNY 13CV01972
$23,500   Brewster v. The City of New York et al, EDNY EDNY 11CV04874
$120,000   Clark et al. v. City of New York et al., EDNY EDNY 12CV00243
$8,500   Croney v. The City of New York, EDNY EDNY 12CV00251
$3,000   Booker v. The City of New York, EDNY EDNY 12CV00253
$2,000   Deleon v. The City of New York, EDNY EDNY 12CV00257
$832,500   Young v. City of New York et al, EDNY EDNY 12CV04190
View Details

Complaints

8 Complaints
13 Allegations
0 Substantiated
1 Alleged Victim Uncooperative
4 Complainant Unavailable
1 Complainant Uncooperative
3 Exonerated
2 Unfounded
2 Unsubstantiated

Complaint #201108991, July 2011
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #201102242, February 2011
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Unavailable
additional details

Complaint #200709944, May 2007
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 25
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 28
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Black Male, 28
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details

Complaint #200703646, March 2007
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
Complainant: Male
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Unavailable
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Male
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Unavailable
additional details

Complaint #200202379, March 2002
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk and/or search
Complainant: White Male, 22
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #200100682, January 2001
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Asian Male, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Unavailable
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Asian Male, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #200002203, March 2000
Allegation: Offensive Language: Sexual orientation
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 20
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 20
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #9700204, January 1997
Allegation: Force: Gun pointed
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
additional details

Complaint #201108991, July 2011
Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #201102242, February 2011
Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Complainant Unavailable
additional details
Complaint #200709944, May 2007
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Stop Hispanic Female, 25 Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Force: Physical force Black Male, 28 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Stop Black Male, 28 Exonerated
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details
Complaint #200703646, March 2007
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Male Complainant Unavailable
Discourtesy: Word Male Complainant Unavailable
additional details
Complaint #200202379, March 2002
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Frisk and/or search White Male, 22 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #200100682, January 2001
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Asian Male, 24 Complainant Unavailable
Discourtesy: Word Asian Male, 24 Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #200002203, March 2000
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Offensive Language: Sexual orientation Hispanic Male, 20 Unfounded
Force: Physical force Hispanic Male, 20 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #9700204, January 1997
Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Force: Gun pointed Unfounded
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.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.
'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.


Lawsuits

Named in 16 known lawsuits, $1,102,000 total settlements.

Short, Latik vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 519260/2018, Supreme Court - Kings, October 12, 2018, ended October 1, 2019
$15,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On September 16, 2016, plaintiff was in a store when he was arrested without probable cause. Plaintiff was subsequently falsely accused of being involved in a narcotics transaction in the store. All charges against plaintiff were dismissed.

Legrand, Vanardi vs P.O. Costin, John, et al.
Case # 15CV02906, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, May 19, 2015, ended May 23, 2016
$18,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers unlawfully entered and searched Plaintiff's apartment, arrested him, and took him to the 77th precinct, and charged him with possession of a controlled substance, which was "resolved in Plaintiff's favor".

St. Andrew, Ashley vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 501754/2014, Supreme Court - Kings, June 4, 2014

Greaves, Kirk vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV01377, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, March 13, 2014, ended November 12, 2014
$25,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On April 6, 2011, Plaintiff was lawfully present inside of 1247 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY as a guest of John Watson. Defendant Police Officer Carr and other Police Officers unlawfully stopped, searched and arrested Plaintiff for trespass despite Plaintiff informing them he was an invited guest of Watson. After being arrested and transported to the 77th Precinct, Plaintiff was subject to a humiliating and unlawful strip search, authorized by defendant John Costin. Defendant Carr swore to false allegations which formed the basis of the criminal charges filed against Plaintiff. On July 11, 2012, Plaintiff's charges were adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, and subsequently dismissed and sealed in Kings County ...

Legrand, Laverson vs Police Officer Costin, John, et al.
Case # 14CV00348, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, February 24, 2014, ended July 8, 2014
$27,500 Settlement
Complaint, Laverson Legrand Settlement
Description: On September 15, 2011 in the vicinity of 222 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY in the 77th precinct, several police officers operating from the 77th precinct and/or Brooklyn Narcotics committed the following acts. At 6am, without either consent or an arrest warrant, lawful search warrant, probable cause or reasonable suspicion that plaintiff committed crime, unlawfully entered the building. March 8, 2013 - second unlawful search and arrests.

Brown, Earl vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 000914/2014, Supreme Court - Kings, January 22, 2014

Rivera, Santo vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 503088/2013, Supreme Court - Kings, June 18, 2013, ended September 16, 2016
$10,000 Settlement

Durant, Anna vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV01973, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, April 24, 2013, ended September 30, 2013
$8,500 Settlement
Complaint, Stipulation
Description: On or about June 30, 2011, Plaintiff was visiting one of her friends and wanted to use the bathroom. Shortly thereafter, Defendant officers stormed into the apartment, arrested Plaintiff, and tightly handcuffed Plaintiff with her hands placed behind her back. After falsely arresting Plaintiff, Defendant officers transported Plaintiff to the NYPD-77th Precinct. During the arrest and while at the precinct, Defendant officers subjected Plaintiff to an intrusive and illegal bodily search. Defendant officers charged Plaintiff with PL 220.16 ‘Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree,’ among other charges. Eventually, Plaintiff was transported to the Central Booking to await arraignment. Meanw...

Foy, Khadidja vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV01972, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, April 24, 2013, ended September 30, 2013
$8,500 Settlement
Complaint, Letter of Stipulation
Description: On or about June 30, 2011, Plaintiff was visiting one of her friends and wanted to use the bathroom. Shortly thereafter, Defendant officers stormed into the apartment, arrested Plaintiff, and tightly handcuffed Plaintiff with her hands placed behind her back. After falsely arresting Plaintiff, Defendant officers transported Plaintiff to the NYPD-77th Precinct. During the arrest and while at the precinct, Defendant officers subjected Plaintiff to an intrusive and illegal bodily search. Defendant officers charged Plaintiff with PL 220.16 ‘Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree,’ among other charges. Eventually, Plaintiff was transported to the Central Booking to await arraignment. Meanw...

Brewster v. The City of New York et al
Case # 11CV04874, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$23,500 Settlement
Amended Complaint, Stipulation

Clark et al. v. City of New York et al.
Case # 12CV00243, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$120,000 Settlement
Stipulation, Amended Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers gained forcible entry into the residence of the plaintiffs. A defendant officer in a face mask assaulted plaintiff 1, who was 75 at the time, and plaintiff 2. All Plaintiffs were handcuffed within the premises of Kingsborough Walk. Defendant officers then searched the subject premises. Plaintiffs 1, 2, & 3 were brought to 77th Precinct. The DA ultimately declined to prosecute the charges brought against them. In a separate incident, on 7/13/2011, Plaintiff 4 was arrested at the 77th Precinct, after reporting thereunder claims he was wanted. Threatened by defendant officers, he turned himself in after being told that if he did not, his family would remain imprisoned. The DA later declined to ...

Croney v. The City of New York
Case # 12CV00251, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$8,500 Settlement
Amended Complaint

Booker v. The City of New York
Case # 12CV00253, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$3,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint, Stipulation

Cornwell v. The City of New York
Case # 12CV00255, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
Settlement
Amended Complaint, Stipulation

Deleon v. The City of New York
Case # 12CV00257, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$2,000 Settlement
Stipulation, Amended Complaint

Young v. City of New York et al
Case # 12CV04190, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$832,500 Settlement
12-cv-04190-WFK-RER.pdf, Stipulation
Description: Defendant Officers Sinclair and Rivera approached Mr. Young while he was sitting on a park bench and unjustifiably choked him to the point of unconsciousness. Other defendant officers arrived at the scene but waited to call an ambulance while Mr. Young was dying. As a result of this brutal choking, Mr. Young fell into a coma and died four months later, without ever regaining consciousness.

Other Documents

Brooklyn DA Disclosure Letter references additional lawsuit 11CV3126