Nicholas M. Kowatch

Badge #1299, White Male
Former Detective Grade 3 at Narcotics Borough Bronx
Service started January 2012, ended November 2021, Tax #951884


Lawsuit settlements:
$30,000   Smith, Verna vs City of New York, et al., 2018 KCSC KCSC 509858/2018
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Complaints

3 Complaints
6 Allegations
0 Substantiated
1 Complainant Uncooperative
3 Exonerated
2 Unsubstantiated

Complaint #201908277, September 2019
Allegation: Force: Police shield
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 42
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details

Complaint #201804029, May 2018
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #201402927, March 2014
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
Complainant: Black Male, 18
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 18
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
Complainant: Black Male, 18
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Force: Nightstick as club (incl asp & baton)
Complainant: Black Female, 39
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #201908277, September 2019
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Police shield Hispanic Female, 42 Unsubstantiated
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details
Complaint #201804029, May 2018
Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #201402927, March 2014
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Black Male, 18 Exonerated
Force: Physical force Black Male, 18 Unsubstantiated
Force: Pepper spray Black Male, 18 Exonerated
Force: Nightstick as club (incl asp & baton) Black Female, 39 Exonerated
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.
'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: 2013-9964
Opened: 7/10/2013
Closed: 3/13/2014
Case Details:
  1. Guilty: While on sick report, left his residence and traveled to New Jersey without permission after having been advised by a Supervisor that he was not permitted to do so
Penalty: Dismissal of charge and specification and issuance of instructions


Lawsuits

Named in 2 known lawsuits, $30,000 total settlements.

Suren, Ismael Joel, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 19CV02659, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, May 16, 2019, ended September 26, 2022
Zero Disposition
Complaint
Description: On Feb 19, 2018, plaintiffs were at home when 14 police officers, without a warrant, broke into the apartment with guns drawn. Officers pointed their guns at plaintiff Edjar Joel Suren, who was 17, arrested him and placed him in handcuffs. Officers then grabbed plaintiff Lucia Santigao, 65, off her bed and handcuffed her. Officers then grabbed plaintiff Ismael Suren, Jr. and handcuffed him as well. Officers asked where the "guns and drugs" were, which plaintiffs denied having. They then asked where Nelson Santiago was, and plaintiff Lucia stated he did not live with her. Officers had her call Nelson and he came to the house, where plaintiff Nelson was then arrested and searched. Family members Edgardo Suren and...

Smith, Verna vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 509858/2018, Supreme Court - Kings, September 6, 2018, ended December 23, 2021
$30,000 Settlement