John Mazzella

Badge #4869, White Male
Former Detective Grade 2 at Drug Enforcement Task Force
Service started July 1998, ended December 2019, Tax #921551

Lawsuit settlements:
$25,000   Policastro, Geraldine, et al. vs City of New York, et al., 2013 EDNY EDNY 13CV05784
$23,250   Greene et al v. The City Of New York City et al, EDNY EDNY 11CV02703
$160,000   Timko v. City of New York et al, EDNY EDNY 08CV00137
$90,000   Jadallah v. The City of New York et al, EDNY EDNY 08CV00138
View Details

Complaints

5 Complaints
7 Allegations
0 Substantiated
1 Complainant Uncooperative
3 Exonerated
3 Unsubstantiated

Complaint #201100927, January 2011
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #200713495, September 2007
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
Complainant: Asian Male
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
Complainant: Asian Male, 29
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200605394, April 2006
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: White Male, 32
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200601322, January 2006
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched
Complainant: White Male, 31
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched
Complainant: White Male, 31
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #200304708, June 2003
Allegation: Force: Gun Pointed
Complainant: Black Male, 25
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #201100927, January 2011
Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #200713495, September 2007
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Asian Male Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Asian Male, 29 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200605394, April 2006
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) White Male, 32 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200601322, January 2006
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched White Male, 31 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Strip-searched White Male, 31 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #200304708, June 2003
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Gun Pointed Black Male, 25 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.


Lawsuits

Named in 5 known lawsuits, $298,250 total settlements.

Alexis, Herv vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 511029/2014, Supreme Court - Kings, December 2, 2014

Policastro, Geraldine, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV05784, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, November 13, 2013, ended April 29, 2014
$25,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On October 27, 2010, in Brooklyn, New York, NYPD officers, referred to as "John Does 1-20," along with NYPD Detective John Mazzela, allegedly unlawfully entered the home of plaintiffs Geraldine Policastro, Kimberly Policastro, and Tiffani Policastro (a minor), without consent, an arrest warrant, a lawful search warrant, probable cause, or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. The officers are accused of using excessive force; for instance, Geraldine P. was reportedly thrown onto a sofa and handcuffed too tightly, Tiffani P. was pulled downstairs, and handcuffed excessively tight, and Kimberly experienced similar treatment. The plaintiffs allege no evidence of illegal activity was found during the search, w...

Greene et al v. The City Of New York City et al
Case # 11CV02703, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$23,250 Settlement
Amended Complaint, Stipulation
Description: Defendant Officers warrantlessly entered Plaintiff's apartment, illegally searched it, assaulted, handcuffed, and arrested Plaintiffs and charged them with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Timko v. City of New York et al
Case # 08CV00137, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$160,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint, Stipulation

Jadallah v. The City of New York et al
Case # 08CV00138, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$90,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint, Stipulation